Shoulder Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
Biceps Tendinitis
- Pain at the front of the shoulder
- Pain lifting or reaching forward
- Ache down the front of the upper arm
- Tenderness in the groove at the front of the shoulder
Quick answer
Biceps tendinitis is irritation of the long head of the biceps tendon where it runs through the front of the shoulder, causing front-of-shoulder pain on lifting and reaching. It rarely occurs alone and is usually managed alongside the rotator cuff, over six to ten weeks.
Typical recovery
6–10 weeks
A typical range, not a promise — how long it takes depends on how long it has been going on, and on what you do between appointments.
The long head of the biceps runs from the front of the upper arm up through a bony groove and into the shoulder joint itself. Where it passes through that groove it can become irritated, producing pain at the front of the shoulder.
What it feels like
A localised ache at the front of the shoulder, sometimes travelling down the front of the upper arm. Lifting, reaching forward and overhead work provoke it. The groove is tender to press.
Why it rarely happens alone
Isolated biceps tendinitis is uncommon. It usually accompanies rotator cuff overload or shoulder instability, because the biceps takes up extra work when the cuff is not controlling the joint properly. Treating the biceps alone therefore tends to give short-lived relief.
How physiotherapy helps
- Assessing and addressing the rotator cuff and shoulder blade control, which is usually the underlying driver
- Progressive loading of the biceps once irritability settles
- Hands-on treatment and temporary load modification for symptom relief
- Reviewing overhead and lifting technique
How long it takes
Six to ten weeks in most cases, though it follows the timeline of the underlying shoulder problem rather than its own.
Medically reviewed by Kapil Kumar, BPT, MPT, Orthopaedic Physiotherapy · Last reviewed September 2026