Inflammation or tearing of the biceps tendon
Biceps tendinitis is inflammation or partial tearing of the long head of the biceps where it attaches in the shoulder; complete rupture produces a characteristic "Popeye" deformity. Same-day or next-day evaluations across eight LA-area offices.
Board-certified surgeons and podiatrists across eight Los Angeles area neighborhoods.
Key takeaways
Biceps tendinitis is inflammation or partial tearing of the long head of the biceps where it attaches in the shoulder; complete rupture produces a characteristic "Popeye" deformity. Symptoms can develop gradually or after a specific injury, so early evaluation matters when function starts to decline.
Most patients with biceps tendinitis improve with conservative care: rest from aggravating activity, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy, and sometimes an ultrasound-guided steroid injection around the tendon. Many tears of the biceps tendon at the shoulder are also treated without surgery, because the arm usually keeps most of its strength. Surgery, most often a biceps tenodesis, is considered when pain persists, for some complete tears in active patients, or when another shoulder problem needs repair at the same time.
Below, we walk through the anatomy involved, the symptoms and causes we most often see, how we diagnose biceps tendinitis and biceps tendon tears, and the full range of treatment options, from the simplest to the most involved.
This is a problem with a tendon in your shoulder. Most often, it's the "long head of biceps" tendon. It travels from the front of your upper arm to the top of your shoulder socket. With this condition, the tendon becomes painfully inflamed or irritated.
The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the body, which makes it vulnerable to instability and impingement. The elbow is a hinge that lets you reach, lift, and rotate the forearm. Both rely on tendons and ligaments that can tear or fray over time.
You want answers, fast, and we're built to give them. Most patients leave their first LAOSS visit with a clear diagnosis and a written plan, not another referral chain.
Here's what your initial visit for biceps tendinitis typically looks like:
Schedule your evaluation at the LAOSS office nearest you.
Once we've confirmed the diagnosis, the next step is matching the right treatment to your situation. We start with the least-invasive option that fits, and escalate only when it doesn't.
Non-surgical options designed to relieve pain, restore movement, and avoid the OR when possible.
Surgery is considered when pain persists despite conservative care, or for some complete tears in active patients.
Shoulder & elbow care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.
Our shoulder & elbow specialists move stepwise: start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.
If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist is the next step.
These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a shoulder & elbow specialist.
Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery is rarely a straight line, but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.
In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the shoulder & elbow, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.
Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the shoulder & elbow.
Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there, and catching any recurrence early.
We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient. Informed consent is a conversation, not a form.
Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.
Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the shoulder & elbow. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.
At LAOSS, our shoulder & elbow specialists are board-certified and treat these problems every day. From minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques to joint replacement and arthritis management, our physicians bring decades of experience to every case. We have cared for Los Angeles patients since 2007, with one goal for each: less pain, better movement, and a return to the activities you love.
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Don't let biceps tendinitis be something you just power through. With same- or next-day appointments at multiple Los Angeles locations, you'll never wait weeks or months for answers. The same team handles your diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Whether you need physical therapy, injections, or surgery, we plan it with you and coordinate each step.
Call or schedule online today to see a shoulder & elbow specialist in Los Angeles.
Book a visit with a shoulder & elbow specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles-area offices.
