Biceps tendinitis is a common NPTE topic — but test questions rarely ask it in isolation. More often, it shows up alongside SLAP lesions, rotator cuff injuries, or shoulder impingement, forcing you to differentiate the diagnosis and choose the safest treatment.
In this episode of the NPTE Studycast, we break down the key concepts you need to recognize biceps tendinitis on exam questions. You’ll review the anatomy of the long and short heads of the biceps, common clinical presentations like the Popeye sign, and how to differentiate biceps pathology from labral tears or rotator cuff involvement.
We also cover the three major special tests used in clinical exams — Speed’s Test, Yergason’s Test, and O’Brien’s Test — and walk through a real NPTE-style case question that highlights safe clinical decision-making after shoulder surgery.
If you're preparing for the NPTE, this episode focuses on the key exam clues, differential diagnoses, and treatment precautions most likely to appear on test day.
Chapters
00:00 Biceps Tendinitis Overview
02:00 Biceps Anatomy Review
04:00 Differential Diagnosis
06:05 Special Tests Explained
08:00 NPTE Case Question
