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Biceps tendon – complaints and therapies

Modern therapies for inflammation of the vision and damage to the biceps tendon

If there is pain specifically in the front of the shoulder that radiates deep into the shoulder joint or into the biceps, there may be damage or inflammation of the biceps tendon. The causes of the pain and restricted movement can be varied and should therefore be examined immediately by a specialist. At the Orthopaedic Center Munich East (OZMO), we are at your disposal as experienced experts for diseases and injuries of the shoulder, the biceps tendon and other areas of the postural apparatus. Contact us promptly for an appointment if you, too, are experiencing anterior shoulder pain that may indicate biceps tendon problems.

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The specialists at the Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost will be happy to provide you with a medical consultation. Take advantage of our wealth of experience in the field of orthopedics and feel free to make an appointment with us!

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Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost - Schulter - Erkrankungen

Table of Contents:

What is the biceps tendon?

Signs of injury and inflammation of the biceps tendon

Causes of complaints of the biceps tendon

Examination of the biceps tendon

Possible diagnoses for biceps tendon pain
What therapies are helpful for inflammation of the biceps tendon?
Efficient treatment for damage to the biceps tendon at the Orthopaedic Center Munich East

What is the biceps tendon?

The biceps tendon runs as a long tendon from the upper edge of the glenoid cavity over the humeral head to the pulley, which forms the transition to the rotator cuff as a fibrocartilage ring. Basically, the biceps tendon refers to two tendon cords that serve as counterparts to the biceps muscle during movement. Complaints from injuries or misuse and overuse mostly affect the upper long biceps tendon (LBS). Only in extremely rare cases is the short biceps tendon affected. It arises from the anterior aspect of the shoulder at the coracoid, a bony prominence of the scapula.

Signs of injury and inflammation of the biceps tendon

Typical signs of an injury or tendonitis of the biceps tendon are pain in the front of the shoulder that radiates strongly, being felt in the shoulder joint or in the area of the biceps. They often intensify with exercise and stress, but can also cause discomfort at rest.

If complaints of the biceps tendon, especially biceps tendonitis, are not taken sufficiently seriously and treated appropriately after careful examination, there is a risk of chronification with long-term damage to the entire joint. Although it may be possible to remove this tendon if necessary and still maintain mobility, as the second tendon continues to allow limited range of motion, this inevitably leads to reduced shoulder loading capacity and reduced mobility, making sports activities involving arm movements impossible.

Causes of complaints of the biceps tendon

The causes of problems and complaints concerning the biceps tendon are in most cases due to incorrect posture, incorrect loading or injuries as a result of trauma. In its course, the path of the superior biceps tendon passes through a very narrow bony canal, which leads to increased friction even with minor misalignments and incorrect loading. As a result, the risk of inflammation increases, as the friction can lead to swelling and, in the case of prolonged overloading, to the fibers wearing down. The tendon can thus snap or tear or cause chronic inflammation.

With age and under extensive stress, the protective ligaments may stretch or tear. This results in a loosening of the joint strength up to the point of the biceps tendon popping out (biceps tendon dislocation / Pulley lesion). This also increases the risk of damage and inflammation of the biceps tendon.

Examination of the biceps tendon

Examinations for pain in the shoulder, which may indicate problems with the biceps tendon, are first performed with a classic, physical examination. The experienced orthopedic specialist can already identify the cause of the problem through palpation as well as special movement tests. In addition to movement tests such as the palm-up test or the speed test, an MRI can be helpful. Ultrasound examinations, on the other hand, are only used in individual cases, since the position of the long biceps tendon in the depth of the shoulder joint cannot be correctly detected with this examination.

Possible diagnoses for biceps tendon pain

Common causes of anterior shoulder pain include ruptures and partial ruptures of the biceps tendon. Even more frequently, however, it is an inflammation of the biceps tendon, which is caused by chronic overloading and incorrect loading and comparable irritation of the tendon. If inflammations have already occurred before, regular control and protection of the biceps tendon and the shoulder area should be considered in addition to the treatment of the biceps tendonitis in order to avoid a chronification of the tendon or further damage as well as ruptures. Once the retaining apparatus is damaged, the chances of recovery are very slim.

What therapies are helpful for inflammation of the biceps tendon?

Inflammation of the biceps tendon can be treated very well with conservative methods. Anti-inflammatory drugs, injections and physiotherapy are used. In the case of a chronic inflammatory process, it may be worth trying to treat the inflammation with hyaluronic acid or autologous blood therapy. Cortisone, on the other hand, should only be used very cautiously for the therapy of biceps tendonitis. Cortisone therapy suppresses the inflammation, but also inhibits the regeneration of the biceps tendon. Thus, further damage to the shoulder may not be avoided, but even forced.

For partial tears or instabilities of the biceps tendon that cannot be treated conservatively, there is the option of outpatient keyhole surgery. In this case, the affected tendon can be fixed again with little effort or the inflamed area can be detached. The prognosis is good with this treatment for shoulder pain caused by the biceps tendon. In addition, progression of the shoulder damage and its permanence can be prevented in the best possible way by targeted measures against causative incorrect and excessive strain.

Efficient treatment for damage to the biceps tendon at the Orthopaedic Center Munich East

In the case of biceps tendonitis and other damage to the biceps tendon, a visit to an experienced orthopedic surgeon is essential. At the Orthopaedic Center Munich East (OZMO), we have an entire team of experienced orthopaedic specialists at your disposal. Our patients appreciate the high level of professional competence, the personal service provided by our practice team and the comfort of treatment, which is based not least on the short distances. This allows us to perform most of the diagnostic examinations in orthopedics ourselves. Even the examination of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done directly on site with us. If complicated health problems are identified as the cause in the diagnostics, you are sure to find the right specialist for you in our team of specialists.

Image above: Degenerative change of the anterior retaining apparatus of the biceps tendon (Pulley lesion, see arrow).

Images above: Arthroscopic refixation of the avulsed biceps tendon with absorbable anchors after slinging with a suture (arrows).

Prof. Dr. Diehl: Instability and dislocation (damage) of the biceps tendon

We would be happy to welcome you to the Orthopädie Zentrum München Ost for your examination. Contact our office staff for an appointment to have discomfort and inflammation of the biceps tendon treated in a timely and targeted manner.

Mo – Th:	08:00 – 18:00
Fr:	08:00 – 12:00