Rotator Cuff Exercises For Bicipital Tendonitis

Any injury to the upper arm or shoulder can hamper movement, function, flexibility and strength in the shoulder joint. An injury to this area may be called a biceps tear or rotator cuff injury, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Rotator cuff exercises may help you regain strength and mobility following such an injury. Physical therapy is often recommended in order to help you regain mobility and function.

Description

Bicipital tendonitis is a medical term for inflammation of the head of the biceps tendon, located at the top of the arm where the tendon connects the muscle to the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff is described as the conjunction of the muscles, tendons and ligaments of the upper or head of the arm, helping the humerus head fit snugly into the socket of the shoulder joint.

Rotator Cuff Exercise

Slow, gradual range of motion and arc-like movements will help to heal the biceps tendon and rotator cuff following injury. Follow your doctor's guidelines regarding when to start, how long to exercise and restrictions regarding movements. A simple beginning rotator cuff-like exercise that you can do is to lie on your stomach on a bench, couch or bed, with your injured arm hanging over the side. Slowly lift your injured arm, elbow bent at 90 degrees, until your hand is level with your shoulder. Hold that position for a moment and then lower.

You can also do this exercise lying on your good side, your affected arm resting against the side of your body. Bend the arm until your affected hand rests on the surface of the bed or sofa. Keeping the elbow bent, lift your hand until it's level with your body. As you grow stronger, add a very light weight to this exercise.

Biceps Tendon Exercises

Range of motion exercises may help to maintain use and flexibility in the shoulder while the biceps tendon heals, suggests MD Guidelines. Gentle range of motion exercises offer focus on extension and supination movements. For example, a gentle range of motion exercise for an injured shoulder is to place the injured arm on a table, or if you're strong enough, extend the arm slightly toward the side. Turn your wrist so that your thumb points down toward the floor. Then turn your wrist until your thumb points to the ceiling. This is a good example of extension and supination movement.

Benefits

Exercise, especially range of motion exercise, helps torn and injured muscles heal, maintains mobility and function and increases healing time. Exercise floods the area with blood and nutrients necessary for healing and prevents the joint from becoming overly stiff and helps muscles from contracting and shortening due to complete immobility or misuse.

Cautions

Don't start any form of rehabilitative exercise until directed to do so by your doctor or physical therapist in order to avoid additional injury to the shoulder joint. Start off slowly, but don't push it or cause pain to the injured limb.