🦴 Bicipital Tendinopathy in Dogs: Vet-Approved 2025 Guide to Shoulder Pain & Recovery 🐕

By Dr Duncan Houston BVSc

🔍 What Is Bicipital Tendinopathy?

Bicipital tendinopathy is a common cause of subtle forelimb lameness in dogs. It affects the biceps tendon—a tough band of connective tissue that attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder blade and passes through the shoulder joint.

Over time, repeated motion from activities like running, jumping, or playing can cause microscopic tears and inflammation in the tendon. This leads to stiffness, soreness, and eventually more obvious limping—especially after exercise 💥🐾.

🐶 Which Dogs Are at Risk?

While any dog can develop this condition, it’s most often seen in:

• 🏃 Active dogs: agility, flyball, lure coursing, and high-energy play
• 🛋️ “Weekend warriors”: sedentary during the week, then overexert on weekends
• ⚖️ Overweight dogs: extra weight adds strain to the shoulder joint
• 🦴 Medium to large breeds: Labs, Boxers, and Shepherds in particular

Bicipital tendinopathy is also sometimes associated with other orthopedic issues like osteochondritis dissecans, medial shoulder syndrome, or elbow dysplasia 🧬.

🔍 Symptoms to Watch For

Signs can be subtle at first. Look for:

• 🐾 Limping or stiffness when getting up
• 🏃 Reluctance to exercise or run
• 😞 Limping that improves with rest but worsens with activity
• 🐶 Signs of shoulder pain during movement or when the leg is extended

This isn’t an injury from a single event—it’s usually the result of chronic repetitive strain. That’s why early intervention is key ⏳.

🩺 Diagnosing Bicipital Tendinopathy

The first step is an orthopedic exam. Your veterinarian will manipulate the shoulder to localize the pain. Then:

• 🦴 X-rays may rule out bone issues, but soft tissue like tendons don’t show up well unless calcified
• 🖥️ Ultrasound is the gold standard for tendon evaluation
• 🧲 MRI may be recommended in more complex or severe cases

Correct diagnosis helps rule out other causes of limping and ensures the best treatment path forward 🎯.

💊 Treatment Options

Initial Management

For first-time or mild cases:

• 🛏️ Rest (4–6 weeks)
• 🚫 Activity restriction—no jumping, running, or off-leash play
• 💊 NSAIDs or pain medications as prescribed

This allows the tendon to heal and inflammation to settle. But without full restriction, the condition may worsen or return 🌀.

Advanced or Repeat Cases

For more serious cases or dogs that relapse, additional treatments may include:

• 💉 Intra-articular injections (steroids or biologics)
• 🦮 Physical rehabilitation therapy
• ⚖️ Weight management to reduce joint stress

Rehab keeps your pet’s mind and body engaged and is proven to improve recovery time and tendon function 🧠💪.

Surgical Treatment

If conservative management fails, surgery may be necessary. The most common procedure is a biceps tendon release, which involves cutting the tendon at its origin to eliminate painful stretching.

This is often performed arthroscopically—a minimally invasive method with faster recovery and less trauma. However, post-op rehab and restriction are still vital 🔧.

📅 What to Expect During Recovery

• 🛌 8–12 weeks of strict activity restriction for severe cases
• 📉 Gradual reintroduction to exercise with vet-guided conditioning
• 🧠 Mental stimulation (puzzle feeders, training games) during downtime

Recovery can take 4–6 months in total. But patience is rewarded with excellent outcomes in most dogs 🌟.

⚠️ Don’t Skip the Rest!

Without proper rest, inflammation will return—and healing resets back to day one. This is a major reason many pets relapse or fail conservative therapy 🔁.

Restricting your dog’s activity may be tough emotionally—but it’s essential for true healing 🩹.

⚖️ The Role of Weight Control

Obesity places excessive strain on the joints, especially during movement. After recovery, keeping your dog at a healthy weight reduces the risk of recurrence dramatically 🐾⚖️.

Talk to your vet about appropriate feeding plans, portion control, and joint-support supplements like omega-3s or glucosamine 🐕🍽️.

🏃 Life After Healing

Once healed, your dog can typically return to:

• 🎾 Normal play
• 🌳 Daily walks
• 🏕️ Light hiking or agility (with caution)

Avoid: repetitive impact (jumping off couches), sudden bursts of intense activity, or resuming sports without vet clearance 🚫.

📲 Need Help Managing Shoulder Pain?

If your dog is limping, sore after play, or diagnosed with bicipital tendinopathy, you don’t have to manage it alone. Visit AskAVet.com for expert support 🐶💬.

• 🧠 Get second opinions on rehab or surgery
• 📋 Custom recovery plans and feeding advice
• ⚖️ Weight management tools and activity tracking

📱 Download the Ask A Vet App for direct access to licensed vets like Dr Duncan Houston. We’ll help you get your dog back on all fours—pain-free and playful again 🐕🎉.

💚 Final Thoughts

Bicipital tendinopathy may be a gradual injury, but the pain it causes is very real. Early diagnosis, proper rest, and supportive therapy can help your dog heal fully and return to the happy, active life they love 🐾❤️.

Concerned about your dog’s limp? Reach out now at AskAVet.com or download the app and get started on the road to recovery today 🩺.