Bicep Pain Treatment

The typical symptoms of a torn bicep can include:

• Feeling the muscle tear or pop at the moment of injury
• A hot sensation around the injury
• Bruising and/or swelling at the site of the injury
• Aches or pains
• Weakness in the arm
• Difficulty turning your palm over
• An abnormal bulge in your arm where the bicep is no longer in the right positio

Bicep injuries are usually caused through overuse or injury such as heavy lifting, a car accident or a fall.

For example, a bicep tendon can tear either fully when it comes away from the bone or partially when it is damaged. There are three tendons in different locations at the shoulder joint and elbow, all of which can tear. It is less common to tear a tendon at the elbow.

Tendonitis is the term for inflammation in the tendons and can occur at the elbow through repetitive motion and wear and tear. This causes small tears and frays in the muscle which do not have a chance to heal.

Bicep pain can also be associated with other issues like shoulder dislocation, trapped nerves or arthritis.

Your Miami doctor can help you best if they have an understanding of the cause of your pain. After a physical examination to look for bulging, bruising or swelling and to assess your strength and movement capacity, they may need to carry out X-rays, MRI or CT scans. These tests enable them to rule out injuries to the bone and to assess the extent of the damage to the bicep and surrounding soft tissues. They may also need to discuss your living habits to determine whether your pain has been caused by your work or exercise routine.

The treatment plan for your torn bicep will be tailored to your specific condition but may include:

• Resting and avoiding using your arm as much as possible. If a movement is causing you pain, stop doing it as you may be causing further damage.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) will reduce inflammation and swelling and help to manage your pain.
• Physical therapy is an effective treatment that can help to strengthen the muscles and extend and regain your full range of motion.

In some cases, if the tendon is severely torn or the injury is not responding to other treatments, surgery may be recommended to reattach the tendon to the bone. Surgery can sometimes be recommended as the first treatment to repair the tendon.

If your Miami doctor feels that surgery is right in your case, he or she will discuss the procedure with you fully so that you have a good understanding of the advantages and any potential risks.

Your recovery time will depend on how severe your bicep injury is but they can take 2-6 months or even up to a year to heal fully. You may need to have your arm in a cast immediately after surgery and keep your arm supported in a sling during recovery. You may also need to complete physical therapy exercises at home to strengthen your arm without causing further damage.

There are several medications that can help to ease the pain of an injured bicep and your doctor may prescribe medication to make you more comfortable during treatment and recovery. The medication will be prescribed based on your condition, medical history and level of pain, but might include:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, both prescription and over-the-counter
• Muscle relaxants
• Corticosteroids (injections or orally administered).

Our pain treatment and accident clinic in Miami is focused on diagnosing the causes and treating the symptoms of bicep pain as well as a range of other injuries and medical conditions. We are committed to providing an effective, compassionate and professional standard of care in all aspects of our treatment. Schedule an appointment today with one of our Miami medical specialists and get rid of your right or left bicep pain as soon as possible.