Bicipital Tendinopathy

Shoulder pain (Bicipital Tendinopathy)- soft/cold laser Treatment Bicipital tendinopathy refers to inflammation, pain and tenderness over the long head of the biceps tendon. It can be often misdiagnosed and confused with rotator cuff tendinopathy as the location of the patients pain is above the biceps muscle, lying over the front of the shoulder joint. This is because the tendon actually originates and attaches to the supraglenoid tubercle which is located superiorly to the shoulder joint. The disorder is often caused by overuse injuries, mainly because of repetitive lifting motions and affects an ageing population.

Two types of bicipital tendinopathy (pain in the front of the shoulder) include:

• • Primary Biceps tendinopathy (PBT): referring to inflammation of the biceps tendon within the bicipital groove on the humerus and occurs in 5% of patients with the condition
  • Secondary Biceps Tendinopathy (SBT): Referring to all other patients (95%) without PBT who have an associated rotator cuff tear or a tear of the superior labrum ( shoulder cartilage) front to back

Pathology of the biceps tendon usually occurs between the age of 18-35 years who are actively involved with sports including throwing and contact sports, martial arts and swimming.

Clinical Presentation Patients with bicipital tendinopathy usually complain of:

• • • Discomfort over the shoulder joint
    • Deep, throbbing pain in the front of the shoulder that’s exacerbated (worsened) by lifting
    • Pain usually overlying the bicipital groove that lies directly inferior to the deltoid muscle
    • Pain usually worsens at night, especially when lying on affected side
    • Aggravated by overhead reaching, lifting or pulling activities.

Examination of shoulder pain Radiologic imaging can be of great importance as it helps distinguish the bicipital tendinopathy with other potential diagnoses including supraspinatus tears. Common procedures consist of: MRI, Ultrasound, Radiographs (x-rays) and arthrography. Ultrasound technology is the gold standard when viewing all tendinopathy’s as its extremely accurate and the most cost-effective option.

Management of shoulder pain P

hysical therapy and conservative care of rest, ice, compression and elevation are the usual forms of managing bicipital tendinopathy as well as surgery intervention. Bicipital tendinopathy can also be managed and treated by cold laser therapy, also referred to as low-level laser therapy for sub-acute cases.

Cold laser therapy or low-level laser therapy as many medical professions term it, is a recent intervention that has been implemented in many health professions in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. For value for money, cold laser therapy is ahead of many different modalities used in the treatment of conditions as it utilises a non-invasive technique while penetrating deep into those underlying tissues without any surgical intervention.

If shoulder pain or Bicipital Tendinopathy has been causing you trouble, Cold Laser Therapy / Low Level Laser Therapy at Lakeside Laser in Gnangara, WA 6077 may help manage your symptoms and promote faster recovery.

Cold laser therapy is effective in managing bicipital tendinopathy by stimulating an anti-inflammatory response and enhancing oxygen and blood supply to the tendon. Sessions typically last around 20 minutes, with 4–5 minutes focused on different areas around the biceps tendon. For sub-acute cases, we recommend 3–4 sessions per week over a 3–4 week period to support optimal tendon repair.

We welcome visitors from surrounding suburbs including Jindalee, Alkimos, Wanneroo, Craigie, Duncraig, Edgewater, Beldon, Mindarie, Wembley Downs, Leederville, Scarborough, Sorrento, Woodvale, Yokine, Burns Beach, and Joondalup.

To book an appointment or learn more, contact our laser technician Dr Linda Schiller on 0468 429 111 or visit our website at www.lakesidelaser.com.au. Our team looks forward to helping you manage and treat your condition.