Biceps Tear vs. Biceps Tendinitis: How to Spot the Difference

At his clinic at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, Dr. Sterett sees several patients who believe they have torn their bicep. Most of the time, Dr. Sterett finds this pain stems from biceps tendinitis. 

Here’s how to recognize the difference between biceps tears and biceps tendinitis and how each injury is treated.

What Is Biceps Tendinitis? 

Biceps tendonitis occurs when the tendon that connects the shoulder to the bicep muscle becomes inflamed. This can develop with age or as an overuse injury. It's especially common in athletes who participate in sports or activities that require repetitive overhead motion such as:

• Tennis

• Baseball

• Swimming

• Golfing

• Kayaking

Biceps tendinitis is also common among laborers whose jobs require overhead motions. This includes construction workers, painters, and retail workers.  

Symptoms of biceps tendinitis include:

• Pain

• Swelling

• Limited range of motion

• Inflammation

• Weakness

• Tenderness

The symptoms usually start gradually and worsen with movement. The majority of biceps tendinitis can be treated nonsurgically with ice, rest, anti-inflammatory medications, and steroid injections. However, if left untreated, biceps tendinitis can turn into a biceps tear. 

Did I Tear My Biceps Tendon? 

Like biceps tendinitis, a biceps tear can develop from overuse. It can also be the result of an injury such as:

• Falling on your arm

• Dislocating your shoulder

• Lifting a heavy object

A biceps tear may be partial or complete and can tear near the elbow or at the shoulder. Tears at or near the elbow are often due to injury while tears at the shoulder are usually associated with rotator cuff issues.

Symptoms of a torn bicep are:

• Sudden, severe pain at the site of the tear

• Bruising 

• Shoulder weakness

• Difficulty rotating your arm

• Deformity in the bicep

Similar to biceps tendinitis, most biceps tears can heal without surgery. Dr. Sterett may recommend nonsurgical treatments like icing, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medication. If the tear is severe, surgery may be needed to reattach the tendon and to treat the deformity in the bicep muscle. 

Bicep Pain? Contact Team Sterett Today!

Experiencing bicep pain? Unsure if you have tendinitis or a torn bicep? Contact Team Sterett today! As one of the top shoulder orthopaedic experts in the Vail Valley, Dr. Sterett will diagnose your condition accurately and design a treatment plan that gets you back to doing the activities you love. 

Schedule your appointment by calling (970) 726-4220 or through Dr. Sterett’s online appointment request form.