Is it Biceps Tendonitis, Tendinitis, Tendinopathy, Tendinosis or Tenosynovitis that You are Suffering?

You're feeling shoulder pain and someone told you that its biceps tendonitis. Are you sure it's actually tendonitis? Knowing what "exactly" it is does alter your treatment.  It should vary depending upon the exact diagnosis. What is Bicep Tendonitis / Tendinitis / Tendinopathy? Bicep tendonitis / tendinitis / tendinopathy / tendinosis / tenosynovitis  are all common terms that describes pain or injury to one of your shoulder's bicep tendons. Biceps tendinopathy is the umbrella term for biceps injuries that include: biceps tendonitis/tendinitis (inflammed tendon). biceps tendinosis (non-inflammed degenerative tendon). biceps tenosynovitis (inflammed tendon sheath). ruptured biceps tendon (secondary to degeneration or tear). Having said that, old habits die hard, and the conditions have for many years been commonly referred to as biceps tendonitis or tendinitis. Your up-to-date physiotherapist or sports doctor will refer to this group of injuries as biceps tendinopathies or the specific injury itself after they have diagnosed the injury thoroughly. What Exactly is Your Biceps Tendon? Read full article... http://bit.ly/1etLb1i What Causes Biceps Tendinopathy? Read full article... http://bit.ly/1etLb1i What are the Symptoms of Biceps Tendinopathy? Read full article... http://bit.ly/1etLb1i How is Bicep Tendinopathy Diagnosed? Read full article... http://bit.ly/1etLb1i Bicep Tendinopathy Treatment Read full article... http://bit.ly/1etLb1iSpecial Considerations Summary There is no specific time frame for when to progress from each stage to the next. Your injury rehabilitation status will be determined by many factors during your physiotherapist’s clinical assessment. You’ll find that in most cases, your physiotherapist will seamlessly progress between the rehabilitation phases as your clinical assessment and function improves. It is also important to note that each progression must be carefully monitored as attempting to progress too soon to the next level can lead to re-injury and frustration. For more specific advice about your biceps tendinopathy, please contact your PhysioWorks physiotherapist. Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Helpful Products for Bicep Tendonitis Related Injuries Acromioclavicular Joint Injury Biceps Tendonitis Fibromyalgia Fractured Shoulder (Broken Shoulder) Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) Muscle Pain: Strains or Tears Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Rotator Cuff Injury Rotator Cuff Tear RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury Shoulder Arthritis Shoulder Bursitis Shoulder Dislocation Shoulder Impingement Shoulder Tendonitis Swimmer's Shoulder

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What is Biceps Tendonitis? How to Diagnose and Treat.

What is Biceps Tendonitis (Tendinitis/Tendinopathy)? Biceps tendonitis / tendinitis / tendinopathy describes pain and tenderness in the region of the biceps tendon. Your biceps musculotendinous junction is particularly susceptible to overuse injuries, especially in individuals performing repetitive lifting activities. This condition is often diagnosed incorrectly and confused with rotator cuff disease. Biceps tendonitis is rarely seen in isolation. It coexists with other pathologies of the shoulder, including rotator cuff tendinopathy and tears, shoulder instability, and imbalances of the rotator cuff. Historically, all disorders of the biceps tendon have been termed biceps tendonitis. Recent evidence suggests that degenerative changes in the tendon occur without inflammation. In acute cases, an inflammatory pathology may still be a valid explanation of biceps tendon pain. Tendonitis describes inflammation of the tendon and the paratendon. This is usually caused by chronic overload, leading to microscopic tears in the tendon, which triggers an inflammatory response.  Peritendonitis is the inflammation of the paratendon or tendon sheath. This usually occurs as a result of a direct injury or irritation in which the tendon rubs over a bony prominence; this is referred to as a tenosynovitis.  Tendinosis is degenerative changes in the tendon. Anatomy of the Biceps Tendon The anatomy of the biceps brachii muscle is important in understanding biceps tendinopathy. The biceps brachii has 2 heads. The short head arises from the tip of the coracoid process of the scapula. The long head arises from the supraglenoid tubercle of the scapula and the superior labrum runs through the intertubercular groove between the greater and lesser tubercles of the humerus. Proximally, the long head of the biceps acts as a shoulder stabilizer through depression of the humeral head (Kumar, 1989). The 2 heads join together in the distal arm to form one strong tendon, which inserts on the radial tuberosity on the upper end of the radius. Distally, the tendon gives off the bicipital aponeurosis (an expansion that blends with the flexor forearm muscles, extending to the ulna). The biceps brachii is innervated by the musculocutaneous nerve (C5, C6). The actions of the biceps brachii muscle is flexion of the elbow, supination of the forearm, humeral head depression, and shoulder flexion (short head primarily). Diagnosis of Biceps Tendonitis Diagnosis is primarily clinical. Patient history suggests the diagnosis. Pain is reported in the region of the anterior shoulder located over the bicipital groove, occasionally radiating down to the elbow.  The pain is aggravated by activities that require shoulder flexion, forearm supination, and/or elbow flexion. Pain is usually exacerbated by initiating activity. Some describe fatigue with shoulder movements. The symptoms are alleviated by rest, ice, massage, stretching, and, sometimes, heat. Night pain is not uncommon. Physical Causes of Biceps Tendonitis Poor lifting techniques Chronic repetitive upper extremity activities (shoulder/elbow flexion) Impingement syndrome Rotator cuff pathology Biceps subluxation Shoulder girdle muscle imbalances Poor posture Overload (usually eccentrically) Lack of flexibility/capsular tightness Direct trauma Multidirectional shoulder instability Calcifications of the tendon Osteoarthritis and spurring Anatomical abnormalities (eg, variations of the bicipital groove, fractures, first rib subluxations) Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Common Treatments for Biceps Tendonitis Immediate Injury Treatment Avoid the HARM Factors What are the Healing Phases for a Soft Tissue Injury? Acupuncture and Dry Needling What is Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment? Scapular Stabilisation Exercises Shoulder Stretching Exercises Biomechanical Analysis Eccentric Strengthening Program Proprioception & Balance Exercises Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises Medications? Soft Tissue Massage Electrotherapy & Local Modalities Heating Pads Kinesiology Taping Neurodynamics / Neuro Mobilisation Physiotherapy Instrument Mobilisation (PIM) Prehabilitation Strengthening Exercises Stretching Exercises Support Brace Supportive Taping & Strapping TENS Machines Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online FAQs about Biceps Tendonitis What is Pain? Physiotherapy & Exercise When Should Diagnostic Tests Be Performed? How Does Kinesiology Tape Reduce Swelling? How Much Treatment Will You Need? How to Stretch? Sports Injury? What to do? When? What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques? What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury? What is a Tendinopathy? What is Sports Physiotherapy? What is Your Rotator Cuff? When Can You Return to Sport or Work? Contact PhysioWorks or Book Online Helpful Products for Biceps Tendonitis Related Injuries Biceps Tendonitis Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis) Muscle Pain: Strains or Tears Overuse Injuries Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis Rotator Cuff Impingement Rotator Cuff Injuries Rotator Cuff Tendonitis Swimmer's Shoulde

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