Also referred to as biceps tendinitis in the US, this condition is an inflammation or irritation of the biceps tendon sheath. Tendons connect muscles to bones. The biceps tendon is the thick cord that attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder. The biceps muscle helps you bend your elbow and rotate your arm.
Biceps tendons consist of two heads, which are sometimes referred to as muscle bellies. Each head has its own proximal tendon. Both heads join at the middle of the arm to form a single distal tendon which inserts into the radius of the elbow.
Tendon injuries such as this can be caused by overuse or repetitive motions of the arm and elbow, or from a sudden injury or fall. Biceps tendonitis is seen more often in men than women, and is most common in adults between the ages of 40 and 60. Rotator cuff tears are also a common cause of biceps tendonitis.
Rheumatoid arthritis may also be a factor in the development of biceps tendonitis. This is an autoimmune condition that attacks the joints and surrounding tissues, causing inflammation. The biceps tendon sheath is particularly susceptible to this form of arthritis.
The physiology of the biceps tendon
Each head has different qualities, for example the short head is more robust in comparison to the long head of biceps. It originates at the chest wall, and it plays a significant role in the proper functioning of the biceps muscle.
The long head forms around the top of the shoulder (glenoid) from a long tendon that is attached to the socket. It can be seen running through the shoulder and out to the upper arm, before joining with the short head of biceps in an area known as the muscle belly. The long head of biceps is not essential for proper shoulder function except for people who are required to participate in heavy lifting, repetitive actions and overhead lifting on a regular basis.
The long head of the biceps tendon is prone to biceps tendonitis and instability. Tendonitis is usually characterised by anterior shoulder pain, which may radiate down the biceps muscle. Rotator cuff tendonitis is often seen in conjunction with biceps tendonitis.
In around 5% of cases, the condition can be labelled primary (e.g. bicipital groove inflammation observed with no further associated shoulder pathology). More commonly, it can be labelled secondary to another shoulder pathology (for example a rotator cuff tear) which has caused the tendon to become frayed and damaged, resulting in inflammation and pain.
When the bicepital pulley and subsequent subluxation of the tendon is disrupted, bicepital instability occurs. Eventually, the tendon will become dislocated and retreat into the subscapularis muscle (also known as anterior rotator cuff muscle). In the process, the subscapularis muscle can become damaged. Symptoms of biceptal instability are much the same as those for bicipital tendonitis, but in many cases there is a signature clicking sound which occurs when the tendon subluxes or dislocates, and this can be quite painful.
Biceps tendon pathology is graded in a similar way to rotator cuff tears, with grade 1 being tendinosis (degeneration of the tendon without significant loss of substance), grade 2 being a partial-thickness tear, and grade 3 being a complete rupture of the tendon.
Treatment
Treatment is first focussed on non-operative measures including the use of anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy rehabilitation (flexibility and strengthening exercises) programmes and corticosteroid injections. Rehabilitation programmes should be focussed on coexisting shoulder pathology. If there are no signs of improvement and symptoms still persist, it may be necessary to begin operative treatment. This will involve releasing the biceps tendon at the top of the shoulder, before fixing it into the bicipital groove through the use of an interference screw. This procedure is usually referred to as biceps tenodesis, and in most cases it can be performed entirely arthroscopically or arthroscopically assisted by orthopaedic surgeons. This allows other associated shoulder pathology (if present) to also be repaired. Upon completion of surgery, rehabilitation of the repaired tendon can take up to 6 months.
Patients who are older or less active usually have the biceps removed from the shoulder joint. This procedure is referred to as biceps tenotomy. This will result in the long head of biceps becoming scarred up slightly below the shoulder, but the short head of biceps will remain in its original form to retain optimal bicep function. This procedure has a much shorter and easier recovery process than biceps tenodesis, and the only mark left behind is usually a cosmetic deformity around the upper arm.
In many cases, non-operative treatment of biceps instability is ineffective. Some patients may wish to try it, but in many cases they will remain symptomatic. It is important to keep in mind that damage to the subscapularis muscle is often progressive, so it is usually recommended that most patients have a biceps tenodesis and subscapularis repair done as soon as possible after examination. This can usually be performed arthroscopically.
