​Biceps Tendinopathy (Tendinitis) – Symptoms & Treatment in Bromley

Key Points

• Biceps tendinopathy is an injury to the long head of the biceps tendon at the front of the shoulder.

• It’s caused by overuse, repetitive overhead activity, or tendon degeneration.

• Symptoms include front of shoulder pain, weakness, and discomfort with lifting or reaching overhead.

• At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, we provide osteopathic assessment, ultrasound imaging, blood tests, and tailored rehab to manage and prevent recurrence.

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What is Biceps Tendinopathy?

The long head of the biceps tendon runs from the biceps muscle into the shoulder joint. It helps with lifting and stabilising the shoulder.

When this tendon is overloaded or degenerates, it can become painful and thickened — this is known as biceps tendinopathy.
In older terms, this was sometimes called “biceps tendinitis,” but not all cases involve inflammation.

It often occurs alongside other shoulder conditions such as rotator cuff tears or impingement.

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Symptoms of Biceps Tendinopathy

• Pain at the front of the shoulder, especially when lifting overhead or carrying objects

• Tenderness in the groove at the front of the upper arm

• Pain when reaching behind the back

• Weakness or fatigue in the shoulder

• Clicking or catching sensations in some cases

• Pain with gym activities such as bench press, bicep curls, or overhead press

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Causes & Risk Factors

• Repetitive overhead activity (e.g. tennis, swimming, throwing)

• Weightlifting with poor form or overtraining

• Shoulder impingement or instability

• Degenerative changes in the tendon with age

• Previous shoulder injuries

• Metabolic contributors such as diabetes, thyroid imbalance, or high cholesterol (reduce tendon resilience)

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Diagnosis of Biceps Tendinopathy

At Bromley Sports Injury Clinic, diagnosis involves:

• Osteopathic assessment – special tests for biceps tendon involvement (Speed’s test, Yergason’s test)

• Ultrasound imaging – gold standard for detecting thickening, degeneration, or partial tearing of the biceps tendon

• Blood tests – to identify underlying metabolic or inflammatory factors that may affect tendon healing (diabetes, cholesterol, thyroid, vitamin D, rheumatoid markers)

• Referral for MRI if there are concerns about labral tears or major structural damage

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Self-Help for Biceps Tendinopathy

• Rest from aggravating overhead or heavy lifting activities

• Apply ice packs in the early painful stage

• Modify training to avoid painful ranges

• Maintain good posture and shoulder positioning

• Use simple pain relief (paracetamol or short-term NSAIDs if tolerated)

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Treatment Options at Bromley Sports Injury Clinic

✅ Osteopathic care – joint mobilisation, soft tissue therapy, and posture correction

✅ Exercise rehabilitation – strengthening of rotator cuff, scapular stabilisers, and biceps tendon loading programme

✅ Sports massage – for surrounding muscle tightness in the chest, deltoid, and upper back

✅ Ultrasound imaging – to confirm diagnosis and monitor progress

✅ Blood testing & metabolic health review – to identify systemic issues that may delay healing

✅ Referral to consultants if severe tearing or labral pathology is suspected

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Prevention

• Warm up properly before sport or heavy lifting

• Use correct gym technique, especially with pressing and overhead lifts

• Avoid rapid increases in training load

• Keep good posture to reduce shoulder strain

• Manage systemic health (blood sugar, cholesterol, thyroid)

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FAQs – Biceps Tendinopathy

Q: Is biceps tendinopathy the same as tendinitis?
Yes, the terms are often used interchangeably, though not all cases involve active inflammation.

Q: Do I need a scan?
Ultrasound is excellent for visualising the biceps tendon and confirming diagnosis.

Q: Can blood tests really help?
Yes. They can detect underlying health issues such as diabetes or high cholesterol, which may weaken tendons.

Q: How long does recovery take?
Most cases improve in 6–12 weeks with structured care, though chronic cases may take longer.

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Book Your Appointment

Don’t let front of shoulder pain hold you back. Book your Biceps Tendinopathy assessment in Bromley today and start your recovery journey.