Shoulder long biceps tendon inflammation is acute inflammation of the long muscle head of the biceps, which originates at the scapula socket and ends in the arm biceps; it is the most visible muscle in the front of the arm.
Shoulder tendonitis can affect the metatarsi or biceps tendon ; only rarely are the other muscles of the muscle-tendon cap (infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) affected. The shoulder joint (glenohumeral joint) is the joint in the body with the greatest freedom of movement; His range of motion includes flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and internal/external rotation.
Only a third of the humerus is surrounded by the socket of the shoulder blade; to stay in its anatomical fit, it is held in place by four muscles that form the muscle-tendon cap (rotator cuff).
Vertical stabilization is provided by the triceps, biceps and deltoids. Thus, the importance of the muscles for the correct functioning of the shoulder should have become clear.
What leads to tendinitis of the long biceps tendon is a certain type of physical activity: athletes lifting weights, throwers, etc.
Usually, this tendon becomes inflamed along with that of the supraspinatus as a result of overloading the muscle-tendon cap or an improperly performed sports movement.
When the arm is raised above shoulder height, the long head of the biceps “slips” and bumps against the coracoacromial ligament, causing inflammation.
In adults, the elderly, and certain athletes, this inflammation leads to the deposition of calcium salts , impeding movement of the tendon and damaging the tendon over time; in the shoulder joint, tendon disease of the metatarsal muscle occurs most frequently.
Tendonitis of the long biceps tendon could also be called wallet syndrome because it is noticeable when you put your hand in the back pocket of your pants as if to pull out a wallet.
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What are the causes of shoulder long biceps tendon inflammation?
Inflammation of the long biceps tendon occurs in both younger and older people.
As a rule, it is caused by overloading the shoulder, especially from swimming, ball and throwing sports or physically strenuous activities.
Rarely does this tendinitis result from trauma.
What are the symptoms of long biceps tendon inflammation?
Symptoms of brachial biceps tendinitis include:
Pain in the front of the shoulder that may radiate to the elbow.
The pain is noticeable when the tendon is pressed and when the biceps muscle is stretched.
Swelling of the shoulder due to tendonitis is rare.
The patient may complain of stiffness or restricted movement.
Diagnosis of inflammation of the long biceps tendon of the shoulder
A naturopath or orthopedist is usually able to diagnose this disorder through palpation and physical testing.
Ultrasonography can confirm the diagnosis of brachial biceps tendonitis; it indicates thickening of the tendon and possible effusion of fluid (inflammation).
What can you do? Which therapy is suitable?
For tendinopathies of the shoulder, the most appropriate forms of treatment are instrumental forms of therapy such as laser or Tecartherapy ® and manual therapy, which releases the connective tissue adherences that pinch nerves, cause pain, limit movement and cause loss of strength.
Overuse tendinitis in the acute and sub-acute phases should be treated with physical therapy and cessation of physical activity, because if an inflamed tendon continues to be overworked, it runs the risk of degenerating and promoting calcification.
In this phase, physiokinesitherapy helps to strengthen the weak (usually the back) muscles of the shoulder.
Injecting cortisone can lead to increased fluid viscosity and thus cause microcalcification and tendon degeneration.
Natural healing methods
The use of cryotherapy (cold treatment) has been shown to be helpful in treating the inflammatory condition, but only in the acute phase.
Kinesio taping for contracture of the upper arm biceps and tendonitis of the long biceps tendon
Effect: tension-relieving, draining and anti-inflammatory. Shape: a “Y” stripe. Length: a few centimeters below the elbow to the acromion. The tape is applied without tension while stretching the arm backwards.
Stretching can relieve pain, but it is not a scientifically proven form of therapy, and stretching alone does not usually bring recovery to the patient. Progressive resistance exercises
should be introduced as soon as possible , with an exercise program that includes high repetitions with small loads. Surgical intervention can only be considered if all of these forms of therapy are ineffective.
If the calcium deposits on the shoulder are already on the mend, they will dissolve, otherwise they can remain.
If the shoulder is not calcified, the chances of solving the problem are greater.
In impingement syndrome, it is important to perform articular decoaptation , which consists of minimal separation of the articular bones.
