Our muscle biceps brachii is an important muscle for our upper extremity. It has two heads, one long and one short (Caput longum et breve), which are attached differently to the shoulder blade. Its function is to move the forearm, so it bends the elbow and turns the hand into supination position (all parts).
Physiotherapy
In the physiotherapeutic treatment of biceps tendon inflammation, it is important to start with exercises only after the acute inflammatory phase. While the tendon is severely inflamed, it should be supported in its healing process by applying ointments, cold or gentle, non-painful massage grips. A more intensive therapy can follow in the following.
Maintaining the function of the shoulder and elbow joint is the focus of physiotherapy in the case of biceps tendon inflammation. A physiological movement pattern of the shoulder blade is also important for the function of the shoulder and thus for the protection of the biceps tendon. Degeneration (structural change) of the tendon must be prevented by training that stimulates the metabolism, but also by passive therapeutic techniques such as friction, fascial techniques, and massage.
Stretching is just as much a part of the therapy as targeted and adapted strengthening of the biceps, the remaining upper arm muscles and the rotator cuff. Depending on the cause, mobilizing techniques for the shoulder (e.g. manual therapy) can be used. Muscular imbalances should be compensated.
It is also important to teach the patient a physiological movement pattern (e.g. during sports) to prevent renewed overloading after healing. Also the importance of regeneration and a break in training (especially in case of pain!) should be suggested to the patient.
Exercises
Exercises that are helpful in the case of biceps tendon inflammation are exercises to strengthen the shoulder girdle. By coordinating the movement of the shoulder blade and upper arm, the biceps can be relieved. If a shoulder tightness exists, this can be improved by targeted training of the rotator cuff.
1) External rotation: The elbow is bent ninety degrees and lies firmly against the chest during the entire exercise. Now the patient grasps the Theraband with the healthy arm and holds it firmly, with the affected side he pulls the Theraband outwards, so that the forearm moves around the body like a pointer. This exercise strengthens the outer rotators of the shoulder.
2) “Archery exercise”: Here the patient stands upright. Both arms are raised to about 90° in front of the body and stretched out. The healthy arm holds the Theraband.
The affected arm now pulls backwards, as if you wanted to tension the tendon of an arch, the elbow always remains at the height of the stretched arm, the upper body may rotate slightly, the shoulder blades contract. The tension is held briefly, then released again. Both exercises can be performed 12-15 times in 3-4 sets.
A break of 30-60 seconds is to be observed between the sets. There is a variety of other exercises. The exercise should be adapted to the wound healing status of the tendon and the demands to which the patient is exposed in everyday life. In order to ensure successful therapy, the patient must carry out the exercises at home on his own after completion of the physiotherapy. More exercises can be found in the articles:
- Exercises for biceps tendon inflammation
- Exercises for the rotator cuff
- Shoulder Impingement Exercises
All articles in this series:
