What is Distal Biceps Tendon Pain?

Pain originating from the distal biceps tendon is often mis-diagnosed as tennis elbow. Distal biceps pain can be quite difficult to localise, whereas tennis elbow causes specific pain and point tenderness on the outside of the bone.

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What is distal bicep tendon pain?

Pain originating from the distal bicep tendon causes pain predominantly at the front of the elbow. It is common in weight lifters, manual workers and those participating in racquet sports. It is more common in men, aged 20-40 years old, particularly those who lift heavy weights in the gym.

Distal bicep tendon pain can be secondary to a tear, a rupture or a tendinopathy. A tear is more likely if you have had a specific incident or injury where you can remember injuring the elbow, otherwise they can occur for no apparent reason. It is important to have a diagnostic ultrasound to confirm the extent of the injury. A majority of distal bicep tendon injuries respond well to physiotherapy and activity modification (relative rest). If they fail to improve, ultrasound-guided injection therapy and/or shockwave treatment can provide fast, effective pain relief. Surgical intervention is reserved for ruptured tendons i.e., when the two ends of the tendon are no longer connected.

What are the symptoms of distal bicep pain?

The symptoms of a distal bicep tendon pain are:

• Pain at the front of the elbow joint  – near the elbow crease
• Pain that is made worse by bending the elbow e.g., during a biceps curl or whilst rotating the forearm e.g., if you rotate your palm up to face the ceiling
• Feeling of weakness in the arm

If this sounds like your pain, read on…

What other conditions can mimic distal bicep tendon pain?

If this does not sound like your pain there are other conditions that can mimic the pain of distal bicep pain such as:

1. Golfer’s elbow
2. Tennis Elbow
3. Posterior Interosseus Nerve (PIN) entrapment

Distal bicep tendon vs Tennis elbow

Pain originating from the distal biceps tendon is often mis-diagnosed as tennis elbow. Distal biceps pain can be quite difficult to localise, whereas tennis elbow causes specific pain and point tenderness on the outside of the bone. Distal biceps tendons pain is aggravated by bending the elbow and also turning your palm up (particularly against some resistance), whereas tennis elbow is aggravated by gripping and cocking the wrist. Both can be aggravated by twisting and turning, such as opening a jar or turning a door handle.