Biceps Tendonitis: Facts and Treatment

When a tendon becomes inflamed the condition is what is called tendonitis. When tendons are overused, the result may be microscopic tears in the collagen matrix causing a gradual weakening of the tissues. One area of the anatomy in which tendonitis often erupts is in the tendons connecting the bicep muscle to bone.

If you think you are suffering from biceps tendonitis, it is important to seek treatment as early as possible in order to avoid any long-term damage. Preferably, a physician specializing in orthpedics should be consulted.

Below are some facts behind biceps tendonitis, and what you can do to treat it if you are diagnosed.

Background on Biceps Tendonitis

The thick, fibrous tissue that connects your muscle to bone is known as a tendon. This part of the body transmits force brought on by the muscle to the bone. In your bicep, the tendon is a long tissue that stretches from your ball and socket joint in your upper arm.

When biceps tendonitis occurs, the tendon becomes inflamed and irritated. This usually occurs due to the bicep being overworked; whether a strain that has build up over the years, or maybe lifting something heavy that injured the tendon.

As people get older, their tendons become less elastic, thus become prone to tearing and injury. When irritating occurs in biceps tendonitis, redness, swelling and pain are the main symptoms. It may be difficult to move or bend this part of the body. At that point, it is essential to pay a visit to your doctor, to see how severe the tendonitis is, and what he or she would suggest treating it.

Types of Treatment

Most physicians prescribe resting the affected arm for treating mild biceps tendonitis. It hastens healing and prevents further injury. After a few weeks, with rest and the liberal use of ice packs, biceps tendonitis can be fully healed.

If this more conservative approach fails to work, your physician may prescribe cortisone injections. This is an effective, and powerful anti-inflammatory medication that helps reduce the pain and promote healing of tendonitis. As a last resort, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the tendon, but only after these more conservative measures have failed. Under any circumstances, it is not prudent to ignore the symptoms of biceps tendonitis. Medical attention is required as soon as pain and inflammation appear.

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