Shoulder Tendon Tear
Muscles attach to bones via tendons. For example, the bicep muscle is attached to bones in the shoulder by a tendon. Tendon tears can be either partial or complete. Partial tears are where the tendon is torn but still in one piece. If the tendon is in two pieces, it is a complete tear. Usually tears come with reduced arm strength and pain when you rotate your hand and wrist from palm down to palm up. Over time, partially torn tendons can start to fray, becoming chronic and eventually causing the tendon to tear completely. This is typically a slow process caused by repeated motions and age.
There are two parts of the bicep tendon that attach to the shoulder–the long head and the short head. Due to the nature and vulnerability of the long head, it is typically the part that is injured. You can still use your bicep when the long head is completely torn if the short head is attached. In many cases, a rotator cuff tendon can be injured at the same time as the bicep tendon.
There are a number of factors that increase the risk of tendon tears including:
- Lifting heavy weights overhead
- Participating in sports, such as tennis and swimming, where your arms repeatedly move above your head
- Using nicotine
- Age and repetitive use over time
Symptoms of a shoulder tendon tear include:
- Bruising from the middle of the upper arm to the elbow
- Sudden or sharp upper arm pains
- Pain when rotating the hand and wrist
- Bicep muscle cramping when performing demanding arm activities
- Shoulder and elbow pain or tenderness
- Shoulder and elbow weakness
Most of the time, simple nonsurgical treatments, such as rest, icing the area, anti-inflammatories, and physical therapy, can heal the symptoms. If nonsurgical techniques fail over time, your doctor may recommend surgery, but this is a rare occurrence.
As with all of our procedures and treatments, the goal is to get you back to full strength and doing the activities you want to do. Here at YourOrthoSolution, we have some of the top orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians in the country. We are dedicated to getting you back to the things you love through a customized plan that fits only you. Our caring team always goes that extra step to make you feel a part of our family. We specialize in treating injuries, including shoulder tendon tears, and want to help you start the healing process as quickly as possible to get you on the path to recovery.
At YourOrthoSolution, all of our doctors and staff are dedicated to ensuring that you not only receive the best orthopedic care in the area but also have an exceptional experience each time you visit our locations. Our dedicated staff will handle all insurance processes for you. You can expect to be in a friendly atmosphere and receive top orthopedic treatment to help you return to full mobility as quickly as possible.
