Current management of chronic proximal biceps tendinitis

Proximal biceps pathology (tendinitis, tendinosis, or degeneration) has been identified as a common source of anterior shoulder pain and can be quite debilitating. Biceps tendon instability or degenerative joint disease account for most cases of tendon pathology with isolated biceps tendinopathy being quite rare. The diagnosis can be challenging because other shoulder conditions often are present. Surgical management has been heavily debated with proponents of tenotomy, proximal tenodesis, and distal tenodesis. This article will briefly review the anatomy, etiology, diagnosis, and management of proximal biceps pathology.