How to Diagnose & Treat Bicipital Tendinitis

Bicipital tendinitis causes pain and tenderness along tendons and joints, pain at night and pain that gets worse when you move or are active. The condition occurs when tendons, which are the fibrous structures joining muscle and bone, become irritated, swollen and inflamed. It can affect any tendon, but typically affects your elbow, wrist, shoulder and Achilles tendon in the heel. You may also experience tendon degeneration. Bicipital tendinitis is caused by injury, overuse of muscles, and tendons losing elasticity as you age. The condition is also seen in people with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes or other systemic diseases.

Instructions

Instructions

• 1

  See a doctor. You need a physical exam where your doctor will look for signs of pain and tenderness when you use muscles and tendons. Your tendons may be inflamed and your skin red and warm.

• 2

  Have imaging tests. X-rays and other diagnostic tests can help your doctor determine the cause of your pain.

• 3

  Be still. Treatment is geared toward relieving pain and reducing inflammation, so your doctor may recommend rest and immobilization of the affected area. Splints or removable braces may be used to keep you from overusing the injured muscles and tendons.

• 4

  Use heat and cold. Applying something warm or cold to your injury may help with pain and swelling.

• 5

  Take medicine. Aspirin, ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation. Motion sickness medicines such as Valium work to control nausea and vomiting and reduce spinning caused by vertigo. You may need to take diuretic medicines such as Dyazide and Maxzide to regulate fluid volume and pressure in your inner ear.

• 6

  Have steroid injections. Medicine injected directly into the tendon sheath can control pain.

• 7

  Start physical therapy. This is used to stretch and strengthen tendons and muscles, and will help restore tendon function, improve healing and prevent any other injury.

• 8

  Consider surgery. This is a rare treatment option but may be necessary to remove inflamed tissue around the injured tendon.

• 9

  Modify your diet. Balance your meals by spreading them out evenly through the day and eating the same amount at each meal, limit salt intake and avoid monosodium glutamate (MSG).