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Orthopedic Sports Medicine (Expert Forum)
Biceps Tendonitis - MRI results question
Answered by
Michael L Gross, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Sports Medicine, Arthroscopic Surgery, Athletic Trauma
Active Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
Hackensack,Westwood - NJ
Questions in the Orthopedic Sports Medicine forum are answered by Michael L. Gross, MD the CEO of Active Orthopedics & Sports Medicine.
Biceps Tendonitis - MRI results question
by fignut, Aug 06, 2009 01:37PM
I was diagnosed with Distal Biceps tendonitis about 6 months ago after a workout at the gym resulted in pain in my right elbow when using the biceps. The elbow gets inflamed if I use the bicep to pick something up that has any weight to it, right along or underneath the big biceps tendon, and also during moderate to extreme supination of the hand. The recovery for the last six months has been extremely slow, causing the orthopedic to request an MRI just to rule out a tear. The MRI confirmed that there was no tear, however it lists an
"Osteochondral injury of the Posteromedial capitellum, associated with a subcortical cyst measuring up to 10mm in the underlying bone, along with osteophytic spurring of the posterior articular surface of the opposing radial head (only in the sagittal plane). No significant joint effusion or intraarticular loose body is appreciated. The biceps tendon exhibits a normal appearance at its radial tuberosity attachment. There is no evidence of insertional biceps tendinopathy or tear"
In plain English, what does that mean, and is it responsible for the pain with my biceps, or is it just one of those things they find in an MRI that is not necessarily related to the problem. In addition, is this something that can be treated through therapy, or does it require surgery?
"Osteochondral injury of the Posteromedial capitellum, associated with a subcortical cyst measuring up to 10mm in the underlying bone, along with osteophytic spurring of the posterior articular surface of the opposing radial head (only in the sagittal plane). No significant joint effusion or intraarticular loose body is appreciated. The biceps tendon exhibits a normal appearance at its radial tuberosity attachment. There is no evidence of insertional biceps tendinopathy or tear"
In plain English, what does that mean, and is it responsible for the pain with my biceps, or is it just one of those things they find in an MRI that is not necessarily related to the problem. In addition, is this something that can be treated through therapy, or does it require surgery?
Doctor's Answer
by Michael L Gross, MD, Aug 09, 2009 04:26PM
, Aug 09, 2009 04:26PMTo: fignut
The MRI shows degenrative changes in you radial-capitellar joint, the outside part of the elbow. This could be the result of a childhood injury, such as "little league elbow" or could be the result of recent activity. It is interesting that your biceps is entirely normal on the MRI. Sometimes an injection of lidocaine in either the joint or the tendon can help determine which one is generating the pain.
