Long Head Biceps Tendinopathy: Diagnosis and Management

The article includes information about tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps brachii and defines …

inflammatory tendinitis

degenerative tendinosis.

Disorders of the long head of the biceps often occur in conjunction with other shoulder pathology.

TWO-HEAD ORIGIN

Long Head: Originates at the supraglenoid tubercle, and is lateral to the Short Head. The long head muscle fibers become the biceps muscle belly of the outer part of the upper arm.

Short Head: Originates at the coracoid process, and is medial to the Long Head. The short head muscle fibers become the biceps muscle belly of the inner part of the upper arm.

INSERTION
These two heads merge into a single muscle belly, and the insertion tendon crosses the anterior elbow and attaches to the radial tuberosity.

TREATMENT METHODS:

Nonsurgical management, including rest, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and injections.

Surgical management is for more severe cases.

Define tenotomy (minimal surgical)

Define Biceps Tenodesis (complex surgical procedure)

Define arthroscopic tenodesis (minimal surgical)

SOURCE:
Nho SJ, Strauss EJ, Lenart BA, Provencher MT, Mazzocca AD, Verma NN, Romeo AA. Long head of the biceps tendinopathy: diagnosis and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2010 Nov;18(11):645-56. doi: 10.5435/00124635-201011000-00002. PMID: 21041799.

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