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Updated 12/28/2012 05:00 AM

Healthy Living: Bicep tendons

Do you have pain in your biceps? Maybe it’s a tear. In today’s Healthy Living, YNN’s Marcie Fraser covers bicep tendons and tendonitis.

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When it comes to your bicep, it doesn't matter if they're big or small, you are you are still at risk for a tear or tendonitis.

Your bicep tendon attaches the bicep muscle to the bone. It runs from your elbow up into your shoulder.

Orthopedic Surgeon, Dr. Justin Ferrara said, “You can have pain in the course of the bicep, whether it's associated with shoulder pain or it can manifest itself as elbow pain or simple anterior upper arm paining front of the arm."

Bicep tendon tears are often caused by a significant contraction against some type of resistance like lifting weights and can occur in two different locations, near the shoulder where surgery is usually not needed and at the forearm, which more often needs to be surgically repaired. the surgery is very successful.

"Most people do regain back both motion and strength after their re-attachment. The rehab is big because you are re-attaching muscle to bone and that takes several months of supervised occupational therapy and physical therapy,” said Dr. Ferrara.

Treatment for tendonitis is pretty basic, they consider it something that needs just conservative treatment.

Dr. Ferrara said, "It's resting, avoiding the activity that causes pain, anti-inflammatory therapy and occasionally cortisone injections can help."

Be careful, if you are at risk, weight lifters as well as...

"Overhead athletes are prone to having issues with bicep tendons in the shoulder and laborers and anyone doing significant lifting activities,” said Dr. Ferrara.