What is bicep tendonitis?
Bicep tendonitis (bicipital tendonitis) is an inflammation or irritation of the upper biceps tendon. Also called the long head of the biceps tendon, this strong, cord-like structure connects the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder.
As tendinitis progresses, the tendon becomes inflamed and thickens. The tendon can split or tear all the way across which then causes pain and a deformity in the upper arm (pop eye deformity).
Bicep tendonitis usually occurs along with other shoulder problems. In most cases, there is also damage to the rotator cuff tendons.