Will a cortisone shot help a torn bicep? Separating Fact from Fiction

October 7, 2025 •

4 min read

While a cortisone shot is a common treatment for inflammation, it can be detrimental for a torn bicep tendon, and is generally not recommended. Understanding the critical difference between biceps tendinitis (inflammation) and a structural tear (rupture) is crucial for effective and safe treatment. In fact, a steroid injection has the potential to weaken an already damaged tendon.

Quick Summary

Cortisone shots are generally not recommended for a torn bicep due to the risk of tendon weakening and further damage. This injection is best for inflammation, not structural injury. Safer, more effective treatments for tears include conservative methods, PRP injections, and surgery, depending on the severity of the injury.

Key Points

Cortisone weakens tendons: Injecting cortisone directly into a torn tendon can weaken its structure and increase the risk of further rupture.
Diagnosis is key: Cortisone is appropriate for biceps tendinitis (inflammation), but not for a structural tear. An accurate diagnosis is essential for safe and effective treatment.
PRP is a safer alternative: Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is a regenerative treatment that promotes long-term healing for torn tendons by leveraging the body's own natural growth factors.
Conservative care has its place: For partial tears or individuals with low activity demands, conservative treatments like rest, ice, NSAIDs, and physical therapy are effective options.
Surgery is for severe tears: Surgical repair is often recommended for complete bicep tendon ruptures, especially in younger, active patients, to restore strength and function.
Relief vs. Healing: A cortisone shot provides temporary pain relief, while treatments like PRP or surgery are designed to address the underlying structural injury.
Timing is a factor: The decision to use a cortisone injection or seek alternative treatments for a bicep issue should consider both the acute symptoms and the long-term health of the tendon.

For a person experiencing a shoulder or elbow injury, finding relief from pain is often the top priority. Cortisone injections are well-known for their potent anti-inflammatory properties, making them a popular option for managing various musculoskeletal issues. However, the use of a cortisone shot for a torn bicep is a topic that requires careful consideration, as the injection can pose significant risks to a damaged tendon. An accurate diagnosis of the underlying issue, whether it's inflammation (tendinitis) or a structural tear, is the first and most critical step toward proper treatment.

The Critical Difference: Tendinitis vs. Torn Bicep

Before discussing treatment, it is vital to distinguish between a biceps tear and biceps tendinitis. These two conditions are often confused but require entirely different approaches to treatment.

Biceps Tendinitis

Biceps tendinitis refers to inflammation or irritation of the long head of the biceps tendon, which attaches the biceps muscle to the shoulder. This is typically an overuse injury, causing pain at the front and side of the shoulder. For this condition, a cortisone injection is often considered a valid and effective option. Cortisone reduces the inflammation in the tendon sheath, thereby alleviating pain and swelling and allowing for easier participation in physical therapy. Studies have shown that ultrasound-guided injections can provide significant pain relief for tendinitis.

Torn Bicep Tendon

In contrast, a torn bicep involves a partial or complete rupture of the tendon fibers. This is a structural injury, not just inflammation. A complete tear is a significant mechanical problem, not a chemical one. In this scenario, cortisone injections are highly discouraged. Injecting a steroid directly into an already compromised tendon can further weaken it, increasing the risk of a complete rupture or inhibiting the natural healing process. Cortisone's pain-masking effect can also give a false sense of security, encouraging activities that could cause more harm.

Why Cortisone is NOT Recommended for a Biceps Tear

Increased Tendon Damage: Research has consistently shown that corticosteroid injections can have a damaging effect on tendons. When injected, the medication inhibits the natural inflammatory response that is crucial for healing. While this may provide temporary pain relief, it can lead to tendon degeneration and a higher risk of future rupture.
Masking the Problem: The pain relief from a cortisone shot is temporary and does not fix the underlying tear. For a structural injury, simply masking the pain without addressing the root cause can lead to continued use of the weakened limb, increasing the likelihood of a more severe injury or chronic issues.

Effective Alternatives to Cortisone for Biceps Tears

For a torn bicep, your healthcare provider will likely recommend more appropriate treatment options depending on the location and severity of the tear, as well as your age and activity level.

Conservative Management for Partial Tears

For many partial tears or in patients with low activity demands, conservative, non-operative management is the first-line approach. This typically involves:

Rest: Avoiding heavy lifting and overhead activities is crucial to prevent further injury.
Ice: Applying ice packs to reduce initial swelling and pain.
NSAIDs: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help manage pain, though care should be taken with long-term use.
Physical Therapy: Rehabilitation exercises are vital for restoring strength, range of motion, and function after the initial pain has subsided.

Regenerative Medicine: PRP Injections

For some patients, regenerative treatments offer a more promising path for a torn tendon. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, concentrating the platelets, and injecting the concentrated plasma into the injury site. Platelets contain growth factors that stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms.

Unlike cortisone, PRP promotes healing, rather than inhibiting it.
Studies suggest that PRP can offer superior, long-term functional improvement compared to cortisone, particularly in tendinopathy.
PRP uses the patient's own blood, minimizing the risk of adverse reactions.

Surgical Repair for Complete Tears

For active individuals or those with a complete bicep tendon rupture, surgery is often the recommended treatment to restore full strength and function. The procedure involves reattaching the torn tendon to the bone. While it comes with its own set of risks, surgery has been shown to result in significantly superior outcomes in terms of strength and function compared to non-operative treatment for complete distal biceps tears.

Comparing Treatment Options for Bicep Injuries


Feature	Cortisone Shot	PRP Injection	Conservative Management	Surgical Repair
Target Injury	Tendinitis (Inflammation)	Tendinitis, Partial Tears	Partial Tears, Low Demand	Complete Tears, High Demand
Mechanism	Reduces inflammation; masks pain	Stimulates natural tissue healing	Reduces pain, manages symptoms	Reattaches torn tendon to bone
Pain Relief	Quick, but temporary	Gradual, but sustained	Gradual, alongside healing	Post-op pain, followed by permanent relief
Long-Term Effect	Potential for tendon weakening	Promotes long-term tissue repair	Relies on natural healing	Restores original function
Risk for Tears	High risk of further damage	Very low risk of adverse reaction	Low, if monitored correctly	Higher risk of complications (infection, nerve damage)

Conclusion: Making an Informed Decision

When faced with a bicep injury, it's easy to want a quick fix. However, an accurate diagnosis is the most important step in developing an effective treatment plan. A cortisone shot, while helpful for tendinitis, is a dangerous choice for a torn bicep tendon due to the risk of further weakening and rupture. For a torn tendon, safer and more effective alternatives range from conservative care to regenerative medicine like PRP, and surgical repair for more severe cases. A discussion with a qualified orthopedic specialist is essential to determine the best course of action for your specific injury and lifestyle goals. For more information on bicep tendon injuries and treatment options, please consult an orthopedic specialist.

Frequently Asked Questions

A bicep tear involves a physical, structural rupture of the tendon fibers, either partial or complete. In contrast, tendinitis is an inflammation and irritation of the tendon, without a tear. This distinction is critical because cortisone injections are suitable for tendinitis but dangerous for a tear.

Yes, in the context of an already weakened or torn tendon. Cortisone can degrade tendon tissue over time, and a shot directly into an injured tendon increases the risk of it weakening further, potentially leading to a complete rupture.

For a torn bicep, a PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injection is generally considered a better option than a cortisone shot. While cortisone only masks pain and can damage the tendon, PRP uses the body's own growth factors to promote long-term healing and tissue regeneration.

Non-surgical treatment for a torn bicep, typically reserved for partial tears or less active individuals, includes rest, applying ice, taking NSAIDs for pain, and engaging in physical therapy to restore strength and function.

Surgery is typically recommended for complete bicep tendon tears, especially in younger, active patients who require restoration of full strength and function. It may also be an option for partial tears that do not respond to conservative management.

Key risks include further weakening of the tendon, increased risk of a complete rupture, temporary pain, skin discoloration, and in rare cases, infection.

A bicep tendon tear is usually diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination, which may involve the Hook test, and imaging tests. An MRI is often the preferred imaging choice for visualizing the extent of the tendon tear.

The pain relief from a cortisone shot for tendinitis can last for a few months, typically between 3 and 6 months. However, it is not a permanent cure and the effects will eventually wear off.