Inflammation of Biceps Long Head

Inflammation of Biceps Long Head is a painful condition which occurs as a result of inflammation of the tendon of the long head biceps muscles. The long head tendon of biceps comes from the upper surface of the shoulder joint which is referred to as glenoid tubercle.

Therefore, any movement of the shoulder joint leads to intense pain along the head of biceps due to the irritation of the inflamed long head tendon. In some cases, serious pain which appears over the shoulder joint is often mistaken for shoulder joint arthritis. Movement of the shoulder is restricted because of the inflammation of the long head tendon of biceps.

What are the Causes of Inflammation of Biceps Long Head?

1. Chronic Shoulder Joint Arthritis. Inflammation of the joint cartilage and tendon occur as a result of severe shoulder joint rheumatoid or osteoarthritis. The inflammation of the joint radiates to adjacent soft tissue such as long head tendon of biceps and leads to inflammation of the long head of biceps.

2. Glenoid labrum ruptures. The long head of biceps comes from the supra-glenoid tubercle next to the glenoid labrum or joint capsule. A rough surface which occurs as a result of tearing or breaking of the glenoid labrum leads to irritation the long head of the biceps during the movement of the shoulder joint and possibly causes the inflammation of the long head of the biceps.

3. Accidents in the workplace. Recurrent rotation of the shoulder joint among manual workers results in injury to the long head of the biceps. Continuous hitting or loading and unloading cause multiple movement and rotation of the shoulder joint which leads to the excessive friction of the biceps tendon. The friction of tendon causes irritation and causes an inflammatory reaction within the tendon fibers.

4. Sports Injuries: same as a work injury, recurrent movement of the shoulder joint is also observed in tennis player and a baseball pitcher. Such a movement is likely to cause inflammation of the biceps long head tendon and a symptom that limits the movement of the joints.

5. A direct impact of the shoulder. This is commonly seen in an automobile or car accident and sports injury. The direct impact of the shoulder joint under long head tendon of biceps leads to injury of the long head tendon and shoulder joint. Injuries cause inflammation of the tendon.

What are the Symptoms of Inflammation of Biceps Long Head?

Below are some of the symptoms of Long Head of Biceps Tendinitis:

1. Chronic pain. Pain that often lasts more than 3 to 6 months is called chronic pain. The pain begins as mild to moderate and becomes severe if left untreated.

The pains are often continuous after treatment and this is because of scarring of the inflamed tendon. The pain is often absent when you are resting and also when you are not moving the shoulder joint.

2. Audible Snapping of the Shoulder. At the onset of inflammation, the long head of biceps tendon movements of the shoulder joint is associated with snapping sound. The pain is continuous after the snapping of the long head at the shoulder. Snapping is common among patients who suffer from arthritis or after an injury to the shoulder.

3. Muscle Spasm. The pain over long head of biceps tendon results in continuous and prolonged contraction of the deltoid and surrounding muscles. Tired muscles often cause cramps and severe pain.

4. Tender and inflamed muscles - The skin and the subcutaneous tissue that cover the inflamed muscles are tender and warm. The occasional reddish discoloration over the long head biceps tendon is felt when inflammation is serious and widespread.

Inflammation of Biceps Long Head Treatment

Treatment for Inflammation of Biceps Long Head requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your shoulder. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your shoulder to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.

Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:

Ice Substitute Poultice

Bruise Relief Liniment

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil

Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:

Pain Relief Liniment

Tendon and Ligament Poultice

Muscle Therapy Massage Oil