Bicep Tendon Rupture Repair in Houston, TX
The biceps muscle is present on the front side of your upper arm and functions to help you bend and rotate your arm.
The biceps tendon is a tough band of connective fibrous tissue that attaches your biceps muscle to the bones in your shoulder on one side and the elbow on the other side.
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What Causes Bicep Tendons To Rupture?
Biceps tendon ruptures occur most commonly from an injury, such as a fall on an outstretched arm, the act of lifting heavy objects, or the overuse of the muscle, either due to age or from repetitive overhead movements such as with tennis and swimming. In the case of overuse, a tendon may fray and eventually tear. Other shoulder problems such as tendonitis, shoulder impingement, and rotator cuff injuries are more likely to weaken or tear the biceps tendon.
Biceps tendon ruptures are common in people over 60 who have developed chronic micro tears from degenerative changes and overuse. These micro tears weaken the tendon making it more susceptible to rupture.
Additional risk factors such as advancing age, heavy overhead activities, repetitive overhead sports, smoking, and use of corticosteroids can also result in a tendon tear.
Types of Biceps Tendon Tears
Biceps tear can be complete or partial. Partial biceps tendon tears do not completely break the tendon. Complete tendon tears, on the other hand, break the tendon into two parts.
Biceps tendon tears at the shoulder: The biceps muscle attaches to the shoulder through two tendons. The long-head tendon attaches the muscle to the top of the shoulder’s socket (glenoid), and the short-head attaches it to the shoulder blade. Tears are more likely to occur in the long head of the biceps tendon. Tears of the short head of the biceps are very rare. But even in case of a complete tear of the long head, the short head of the biceps may allow you to continue using your biceps muscle.
Biceps tendon tears at the elbow: Unlike the shoulder, the biceps muscle at the elbow has only one tendon, the distal biceps tendon. Tears of the distal biceps tendon are usually complete, and the muscle is separated from the bone. Tears of the distal biceps tendon most often result from a sudden injury or lifting a heavy object.
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What are the Symptoms of Bicep Tendon Tears?
The most common symptoms of a biceps tendon rupture include:
- Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm
- Audible popping sound at the time of injury
- Pain, tenderness, and weakness at the shoulder or elbow
- Trouble turning the arm palm up or down
- Bulge above the elbow (Popeye sign)
- Bruising to the upper arm
How Do You Diagnosis a Bicep Tendon Rupture?
What are Treatment Options for Bicep Tendon Ruptures?
There are two treatment options for bicep tendon ruptures:
- Nonsurgical
- Surgical
Nonsurgical Treatment
Nonsurgical treatment is an option for patients whose injury is limited to the top of the biceps tendon. It includes:
Rest: A sling is used to rest the shoulder and you are advised to avoid overhead activities and heavy lifting until healed.
Ice: Applying ice packs for 20 minutes at a time, 3 to 4 times a day, helps reduce swelling.
Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines help reduce pain and swelling.
Physical therapy: Strengthening and flexibility exercises help restore strength, mobility, and full range of motion to the shoulder joint.
Surgical Treatment
Surgery may be necessary for patients whose symptoms are not relieved by conservative measures and for patients who require full restoration of strength, such as athletes.
The surgeon will make an incision either near your elbow or shoulder, depending on which end of the tendon is torn. The torn end of the tendon is cleaned, and the bone is prepared by creating drill holes. Sutures are woven through the holes and the tendon to secure it back to the bone and hold it in place. The incision is then closed, and a dressing is applied.
Surgery to reattach the torn tendon back to the bone is rarely needed. However, for patients with partial tears who continue to experience symptoms after non-surgical treatments or who want all of their arm strength back, such as athletes or manual laborers, surgery may be the best option. Complications and re-tearing of the repaired tendon are rare. Following surgical repair, you will need to do flexibility and strengthening exercises to improve the range of motion in your shoulder.
Your surgeon may opt for several surgical procedures for distal bicep tendon tear where the distal bicep tendon is reattached to the forearm bone. During the procedure, the tendon is attached with stitches through holes drilled inside the bone, or small metal implants may be used to attach the tendon to the bone.
What Risks and Complications Come With Bicep Tendon Surgery?
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Re-rupture of the tendon
Frequently Asked Question
What causes a bicep tendon rupture?
What are the symptoms of a torn bicep tendon?
What is the difference between proximal and distal bicep tendon rupture?
What treatment options are available?
Treatment depends on the severity and location of the tear. Options may include:
- Rest and activity modification
- Ice and anti-inflammatory medications
- Physical therapy
- Surgical repair for complete or severe tears