Dry Needling and Exercise Versus Traditional Physical Therapy for Biceps Tendinitis
Bicep Tendinitis, Biceps; Tenosynovitis, Bicipital Tendinitis, Left Shoulder
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Bicep Tendinitis focused on measuring dry needling, eccentric exercise, concentric exercise, physical therapy, heavy slow load exercise
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18-64 years old
- Primary diagnosis of bicipital tendinopathy
- Primary complaint of anterior shoulder pain in the area of the LHBT
- Clinical exam findings (must have positive findings for at least 1/2 of the following: Speed's Test, Yergason's test for biceps tendon pain.
- Pain with palpation in area of the biceps tendon
- Patient identification of pain in the area of the proximal biceps tendon
- NPRS of at least 3/10 at worst in the past week
Exclusion Criteria:
- History of biceps tendon injection in the past 3 months
- History of rotator cuff surgery
- History of biceps tenodesis or tenotomy
- History of bleeding disorder or anti-coagulation therapy
- Diagnosis of adhesive capsulitis (as defined by 50% loss of range of motion in 2 out of 3 of the following motions: Shoulder flexion, abduction and external rotation)
- Known underlying non-modifiable medical condition (e.g. tumor, fracture, metabolic disease)
- Two or more positive neurological signs consistent with nerve root compression
- Known allergy to metal
- Participant reported aversion to needles
Sites / Locations
- Education 1 Anschutz Medical Campus
- Boulder Center for Sports Medicine and Performance
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
Intervention 1 DN+HSLE
Intervention 2 Control
Patients in the intervention 1 Dry Needling (DN)+heavy Slow Load Exercise (HSLE) group will attend physical therapy one to two sessions per week for up to 4 weeks for a total of 6 sessions. Each treatment session will last for a total of 45 minutes. A standardized physical therapy program will be used and will include soft tissue mobilization to the shoulder and biceps tendon followed by DN, HSLE and a standardized shoulder strengthening exercise program.
Patients in the control group will attend physical therapy one to two sessions per week for up to 4 weeks for a total of 6 sessions. Each treatment session will last for a total of 45 minutes. A standardized physical therapy program will be used and will include soft tissue mobilization to the shoulder and biceps tendon and a standardized exercise program. Dry needling nor heavy slow load exercise will not be integrated into the "control" plan of care.