What is Bicipital tendonitis?

Bicipital tendonitis occurs when the long head of the biceps tendon is inflamed or irritated. Pain in the front of the shoulder and weakness are common symptoms of bicipital tendonitis. Impingement or inflammatory injury can result in biceps tendon disorders. Additional causes include rotator cuff disorders, labral tears, and intraarticular pathologies.

Causes of bicipital tendonitis:

  • Wear and tear of the biceps tendon, Overuse of shoulder, Repetitive movement of the shoulder, Sports such as- swimming, tennis, and cricket.

Symptoms:

  • Overhead lifting causes pain or tenderness in the front of the shoulder, An ache or pain that travels down the upper arm bone, snapping or popping sounds in the shoulder occasionally,

Physiotherapy Management of Bicipital tendonitis:

  • Cold & Hot Therapy:
    • Applying a cold pack for 20 minutes, 3 times a day for 3-4 days can be helpful in elevating pain and inflammation. Our clinic has a Cryo-air Machine that can achieve this 20-minute effect in a very short time and reduce your pain in very less time.
  • Isometric Strengthening:
    • Isometric exercises can decrease your pain as well as strengthen your muscles without pain.
  • Eccentric muscle strengthening:
    • Once the pain & inflammation is subsided and healing has occurred eccentric exercises are used to increase the strength of the biceps muscle.
  • Resisted band Strengthening exercises such as:
    • Tie one end of the resistance band with a solid and stable object and hold the free end in your hand > now do biceps curl 3 sets of 15 repetitions > gradually progress with a heavier colored band. Similarly do exercises for rotator cuff muscle such as- with elbow bend at 90 degrees > shoulder is relaxed > now do internal rotation against the band resistance. Also, External rotation against the band resistance.
  • Manual therapy such as:
    • Deep transverse friction massage, Mobilization, Kinesio taping, Also, Dry needling.
  • Electrotherapy such as:
    • Combo therapy (US + TENS), High-intensity class 4 laser therapy, Also, Extracorporeal shock wave therapy.