The biceps muscle is in the front of your upper arm. It helps you bend your elbow and rotate your arm. It also helps keep your shoulder stable. Tendons attach muscles to bones. Your biceps tendons attach the biceps muscle to bones in the shoulder and in the elbow. If you tear the biceps tendon at the shoulder, you may lose some strength in your arm and be unable to forcefully turn your arm from palm down to palm up. Many people can still function with a biceps tendon tear, and only need simple treatments to relieve symptoms. Some people require surgery to repair the torn tendon.

Tenosynovitis and biceps tears can frequently be made to feel better with activity modification, rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. Some people will additionally benefit from a cortisone injection into the bicipital groove or subacromial space.

Some people will remain symptomatic after nonoperative care or others will be unwilling to accept the cosmetic deformity or loss of strength. Arthroscopic biceps tenodesis repairs the healthy portion of the biceps tendon to the humerus, or arm bone. This can be done independently, or in addition to arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Arthroscopic Biceps Tenotomy is a surgery to release the tendon from its attachment on the glenoid, or shoulder blade, and is reserved for a select group of patients.