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  • Bicep Tendonitis
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Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
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Conditions We Treat
Achilles Tendonitis
ACL Injuries
AC Joint Injury (Shoulder Separation)
Ankle Sprain
Avascular Necrosis
Bicep Tendonitis
Bone Cancer
Bone Cysts
Bone Spurs
Bone Tumor
Brachial Plexus Injuries
Bulging Discs
Bunions
Burners & Stingers
Bursitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Chondrosarcoma
Chordoma
Chronic Tendon Pain
Clavicle Fracture
Colles Fracture
Concussion
Contractures
Degenerative Joint Disease
Diabetic Foot Disease
Dislocations
Dupuytren's Contracture
Elbow Sprain
Ewings Sarcoma
Femoroacetabular Impingement
Finger Injuries
Flat Feet
Foot Pain
Foot Ulcer
Fractures & Breaks
Frozen Shoulder
Giant Cell Tumor
Golfers Elbow
Hammer Toes
Hip Dysplasia
Hip Pointer
Instability
IT Band Syndrome
Jones Fracture
Labral Tear
Lisfranc Injury
Low Back Pain
Lower Body Pain
Malunion & Nonunion
MCL & LCL Injuries
Meniscus Tear
Metastatic Bone Disease
Morton's Neuroma
Neck Pain
Necrotizing Fasciitis
Nerve Compression
Numbness & Weakness
Osgood Schlatter
Osteosarcoma
Patellar Tendonitis
Patellofemoral Pain
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Injury
Plantar Fasciitis
PVNS
Rotator Cuff Tears
Scaphoid (Wrist) Fracture
Severs Disease
Shin Splints
Shoulder Dislocation
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Pain
Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Sports Hernia
Sprains & Strains
Tendon & Ligament Injuries
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Tennis Elbow
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Turf Toe
Upper Body Pain
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Bicep Tendonitis

The UPMC Sports Medicine website provides valuable information on bicep tendonitis, a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the bicep tendon. The page explains the causes, symptoms, and risk factors associated with bicep tendonitis, including repetitive arm motions and overuse injuries. It also offers treatment options, such as rest, physical therapy, and, in severe cases, surgery. Additionally, the page emphasizes the importance of proper warm-up exercises and stretching techniques to prevent bicep tendonitis.

Looking for Bicep Tendonitis Care?

Related services include:

  • Orthopaedics.
  • Sports Medicine.
  • Rehabilitation and Physical Therapy.

Find a Provider

On this page

  • What Causes Bicep Tendonitis?
  • What Are the Symptoms of Bicep Tendonitis?
  • How Do You Diagnose Bicep Tendonitis?
  • How Do You Treat Bicep Tendonitis?

What Is Bicep Tendonitis?

Bicep tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons that connect the biceps muscle, at the front of your arm, to the shoulder and the elbow.

A repetitive motion injury, bicep tendonitis often results from overuse caused by a repeated overhead motion.

Athletes usually respond well to home care bicep tendonitis treatment and a break from the sport that caused it

What are the causes of bicep tendonitis?

Sports with repeated motion in the arm and shoulder — or a sudden injury to the tendon — can cause bicep tendonitis.

What are the risk factors and complications of bicep tendonitis?

Sports that increase your risk of bicep tendonitis include:

  • Swimming.
  • Baseball or softball.
  • Tennis.

Severe overuse of the biceps tendons can cause a tear. This requires surgery to repair the torn bicep.

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Bicep Tendonitis Symptoms and Diagnosis

What are the symptoms of bicep tendonitis?

Bicep tendonitis symptoms include:

  • Pain when you move the upper part of the arm (shoulder or elbow).
  • Weakness.
  • Tenderness.

You can also feel the effects of bicep tendonitis when you turn your wrist from a palm facing up to a palm facing down, or vice versa.

How do you diagnose bicep tendonitis?

A doctor will examine your arm and ask questions about the sports you play.

Simply touching the bicep tendons can help your doctor diagnose bicep tendonitis. He or she will also observe which arm motions cause pain.

If your doctor suspects a tear in any of the tendons, you will need an MRI.

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How Do You Treat Bicep Tendonitis?

Our team of experts at UPMC will work with you on the best treatment plan to relieve your bicep tendonitis pain.

Because bicep tendonitis can involve more than one tendon, your doctor will base treatment on the affected tendon.

Types of treatment for bicep tendonitis

Treatments for bicep tendonitis may include:

  • Rest.
  • A break from the sport or activity that caused the problem.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
  • Physical therapy and exercises.
  • Cortisone injections.
  • Platelet rich plasma.

Torn tendons may need surgical repair.

Return to Play program

You may be a candidate for the Return to Play program if you are an athlete who has been treated for a sports injury, completed physical therapy, and is looking for additional support to help you safely and confidently reengage with your sport.

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