Leading-edge Care for Arm Injuries
Your biceps tendons attach each end of your biceps muscle — the “Popeye muscle” on the front of your upper arms — to your shoulder and elbow bones. You can develop biceps tendon injuries by falling on your arm, lifting something too heavy or repeatedly moving your shoulder. Biceps diseases and injuries include biceps tendinitis (tiny tears in the muscle that cause pain and swelling) or biceps tears (either partially or entirely through the tendon).
Our orthopedic specialists provide leading-edge care for a full range of shoulder and arm conditions — from muscle strains and tears to complex injuries. Our team of orthopedic and sports medicine doctors, physical therapists and pain management specialists work together to help you move without pain.
What Are Biceps Tear Signs?
Tearing your biceps tendon at your shoulder causes shoulder and arm pain and loss of arm strength. A torn biceps tendon can also damage the rotator cuff tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint and let you move your arms and shoulders.
The most noticeable symptom of a torn biceps tendon is a sudden, sharp pain in the upper part of your arm or around your elbow. You may also hear or feel a pop — that’s why it’s often called a popped biceps.
Other signs can include:
- Bruising on your upper arm or forearm
- Bulge in the biceps muscle
- Biceps muscle cramping after strenuous use of your arm
- Difficulty turning your arm from a palm-up to a palm-down position
- Shoulder and elbow pain or weakness
Treatments for Biceps Tendon Diseases We Offer
When treated early, you can resolve biceps tendinitis with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medicines and physical therapy.
Although a biceps tear may need surgery, nonsurgical approaches can often relieve symptoms and allow the biceps to function as it should. If these therapies don’t work — or you want to repair the bulge in the muscle for cosmetic reasons — you may decide to have surgery, followed by physical therapy. Our doctors will help you determine what’s right for you.
Trusted Biceps Tendon Disease Treatment
You receive personal attention and a treatment plan developed just for you.
Our fellowship-trained surgeons are nationally recognized experts in their field — you work with a team you can depend on.
We’re dedicated to your health and well-being, providing complete, personalized care from diagnosis and treatment to rehabilitation and beyond.
You receive care from trusted providers — our physicians have been named “Top Doctors” by Los Angeles magazine and Pasadena magazine.