May also be called: Biceps Tendinopathy; Bicipital Tendonitis; Biceps Tendinitis Biceps tendonitis is an irritation of one of the tendons that attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder or elbow. More to Know Tendonitis simply means a tendon is swollen or irritated. Tendons are tough, cord-like tissues that allow muscles to pull on bones, helping us move. The biceps tendons are at the top and bottom of the biceps muscle. The tendon that attaches the lower part of the biceps to the elbow is the distal tendon. The tendons that attach the top of the biceps muscle to the shoulder are the proximal tendons. Biceps tendonitis is usually an overuse injury caused by repeatedly moving the arm or elbow in the same way. In young people, biceps tendonitis is often a sports injury. Keep in Mind Most cases of biceps tendonitis heal on their own with rest and simple home treatment. However, without rest and treatment, tendonitis can become worse. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Sports Medicine Center Get tips on everything from finding the best sport for your kids to preventing and handling injuries. Read More Proximal Biceps Tendonitis In teens, biceps tendonitis is usually an overuse injury that causes tendons in the upper arm to be swollen or irritated. Most cases heal on their own if you follow a few guidelines from your doctor. Read More Overuse Injuries Overuse (or repetitive stress) injuries happen when too much stress is placed on a part of the body, causing problems like swelling, pain, muscle strain, and tissue damage. Read More Sports and Exercise Safety Playing hard doesn't have to mean getting hurt. The best way to ensure a long and injury-free athletic career is to play it safe from the start. Find out how. Read More Your Muscles You have more than 600 muscles in your body! They do everything from pumping blood throughout your body to helping you lifting your heavy backpack. Find out more. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Our bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities. Read More Achilles Tendonitis If the tendon just above your heel becomes swollen or irritated due to overuse, it can lead to a painful condition called Achilles tendonitis. Find out how to treat it - and prevent it. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.