Biceps Tendon Disease of the Shoulder

A tear in the tendon that attaches the bicep muscle to bones in the shoulder causes loss of strength in the arm. The arm can still bend but loses its ability to rotate from palm up to palm down. Permanent weakness occurs if the tendon is not repaired, usually by surgically reattaching the tendon to another location on the arm. These injuries are uncommon and often sudden.

What are the signs and symptoms of bicep tendon disease of the shoulder?

• Severe pain when you turn your arm from palm down to palm up
• Loss of strength in your arm
• A popping sound at the elbow when the tendon ruptures
• Bruising and swelling at the elbow and forearm