Bicep tendon rupture

davegarage

davegarage

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Hi Folks,

A month ago I had a little incident at work that ruptured my left bicep tendon. Had surgery to re-attach to the radius about three weeks ago, and am now in therapy to get back my movement.
If you have had this, please let me know what sort of time frame it took to get the movement back, and how long it took to be as whole as possible.
Should I expect to get all of my strength back in the arm?

Thanks,
 
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Had Achillies (ankle) Took 6 mos. ( for full strength) Hope you do better.
 
I had mine repaired 4 years ago, I had full range of motion in about 6 weeks after starting therapy. Getting full strength back takes awhile. Be ready for some pain when the therapist breaks up the scar tissue,...:eek:

The Doctor also fixed up my Rotator cuff while he was at it.
 
Co mtn man said:
I had mine repaired 4 years ago, I had full range of motion in about 6 weeks after starting therapy. Getting full strength back takes awhile. Be ready for some pain when the therapist breaks up the scar tissue,...:eek:

The Doctor also fixed up my Rotator cuff while he was at it.
Click to expand...

I had the same issues with a complete torn rotator and bicep repair on my left side. Mine was due to an accident that also broke my collar bone. They did the rotator/bicep repair after the collar bone healed.

I had to wear an arm sling for five weeks and sleep sitting up. The arm sling kept my left arm tight against my chest like a straight-jacket. I was told the left arm had to be completely immobile so as not to tear loose the bicep repair (for the first five weeks).

The arm being "frozen" and out-of-use for five weeks made the physical therapy (therapy started on the sixth week) on the arm a real bear. I had to take narcotics before each therapy session. I had a great therapist, but when she finally broke the scar tissue loose it was painful, to say the least.

I was out of work for twelve weeks. I'm a peace officer and had to have a "full" return to work release before they would allow me to return to duty.

I got full rotation and my arm is better than new. The therapy was one of the most difficult challenges that I have ever experienced. I was a good patient and did the twice daily home exercises as directed.

The therapist said the home exercises are the key to getting full use of the arm. I also walked four miles per day during the recovery. This really helped too.

I have a friend that had the same surgery. He would never do the exercises. He has trouble to this day with his arm.
 
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Boy. that sure sounds like a painful injury.
Sounds like you've gotten some good advise so far
and good luck with the recovery.

Chuck
 
You are more fortunate than me my friend. I had a complete separation of my right bicep along with a rotator cuff tear. Had surgery. The surgeon fixed the rotator cuff, but was unable to re-attach the bicep. After seeing the pictures of it I can understand why. Both ends were shredded. I have adapted to the loss of strength and have worked to have regular movement of the arm. I'm getting along with it okay but I now have a funky looking arm with the bicep balled up just above the elbow and hanging off to one side. Glad they were able to fix yours.
 
Had the surgery after about 6 months had full motion but that scar tissue that everybody mentioned is the worst when you get it to break so to speak to allow movement. Been two years and still don't feel like I have full strength but I'm used to it.
 
I blew out my left bicep in 2010 and never got it repaired.

Always have had more pressing issues health wise and I'm 62 now so I told the doc I could live with it.

It hurt really bad for about 2 weeks then the pain ceased.
 
About 10 years ago I injured my left shoulder. I could not lift my arm above my shoulder. My Doc prescribed physical therapy and I eventually got full use of my arm back. Four years ago I again injured my left shoulder and this time they took an MRI which showed bone spurs and torn rotator cuff. During the surgery the surgeon discovered that my bicep tendon was completely severed from one attachment point and he was not able to reattach it. It was an old tear most likely from the previous injury. I was told by more than one doctor that I did not need to have it reattached. I believe it is called the Popeye syndrome because it causes your arm to bulge like Popeye’s. I was even told by one orthopedic surgeon that some athlete's have surgery done to detach on side of the bicep tendon on purpose because it helped them to perform. If I remember correctly he mentioned that John Elway had this done.

My Surgeon did not prescribe PT as he told me he did not want them to foul up his work. All he had me do was what is called the butterfly exercise and I have gotten full recovery and use of my arm. It did hurt like the dickens at first. He let me continue normal activities after 6 months. It took about a year and a half before I feel I was fully recovered. A year later, May 2012, I had to have rotator cuff surgery on my right shoulder. Since the surgery on my right shoulder I have been much more sensitive to recoil and have started shooting 20GA shotguns for Sporting Clays and duck hunting. I still do not feel that I am fully recovered from the second surgery. I have been retired for almost 5 years now so I did not need to return to work other than around the house.
 
I am surprise at how many folks have had this, I have it too.

Mine however is the bottom near the elbow, I think this is less common.

I didnt have mine fixed, I didnt even go to the doctor for a few years. I just sucked up the pain and went on working. Not like I had a lot of choice my wife was out of work and I run a small business myself. No choice but to carry on...

My arm gained about seventy five percent of it strength but has limited endurance. I cant hold my arm out or carry things for long periods. It limits me in some ways and I am cautions. I was a bit of a brute when I was younger had working muscles.

I was getting spasms for years after. Then I tore another part just a little. I got scared and went to the doctor he looked me over and did some manipulation, sent me for an MRI. Yeah it tore, and no it cant be fixed. If I came in right away it could have been reattached. He would have put a hole in my bone ,bunched up the tendon and put it in the hole with some metal. after a while it would heal and work. The doctor said I wore it through and it popped. I was around forty years when this happened.

The long and short of it for me is I cannot turn my hand palm up and put pressure on it. This was how I tore it to start with and did more damage later on. I have to Popeye arm to but mine is up high and a flat spot near my elbow.

I had to give up riding motorcycles I cant have my arm extended and unsupported for periods. Holding a rifle makes it sore to, a few round from the Garand and rest. I do a lot less grunt work now a days.

Life goes on, I get by ;)
 
Thanks for your response's so far everyone.
I am 50, so I decided to have it repaired. Yes, it was a reattachment through the radial bone at the elbow, and the scar tissue is not my friend.
My doc told me that after just a few weeks of no repair that the function of the bicep would be lost. I lived with the pain for 12 days before surgery. I was lucky.
I don't need a Popeye arm, I need dexterity. Palm-up under power is very important to me.
Folks always get bicep confused with the triceps muscle group. Triceps are the power of the arm. Bicep rotates the radial to palm up under power.
Thanks for all the incite.

Dave
 
I had a distal bicep tendon tear in my left arm. Distal is near the elbow...Got it foolishly trying to catch a 200 lb. sheep running full blast at me. Here she comes, down on one knee, reach out to grab her around the brisket and she blows right past taking my arm backwards with her. Felt like an electric shock running right up my arm. X rays showed it was not completely detached so I declined to fix it. 8 years later my bicep muscle is still sprung looking and if I pick up so much as a 12 pack the wrong way I get shooting pains. I've learned to accommodate when doing heavy chores like stacking hay bales, just have to be more thoughtful. Good luck with your surgery.
 
Upper arm?

Howdy,
I detached mine on what they call the upper head.
Hurts huh?
I went to a good specialist. I expect he tried his best and I have my own opinions why it didn't work. It was a massive injury according to the doctor. They went about it microscopically. If it was that bad, I think I might have been better off getting it opened up where they had room to work.
It was never right and no one in this group of doctors seems to think there is anything that can be done.
Mine was done a little over three years ago. I have been in a constant state of deterioration. I have a good amount of pull left in the arm but no lift or push.
I can't shave right handed, eat peanuts and snacks (They just splash in my face), apply deodorant without grabbing a door post and hanging on while I walk back away from it.
I have been tied up with this doctor and his associates, nerve doctors and physical therapy until about a month ago. They are unable to come up with a plan. No repair, no replacement no plan what so ever.
I am currently researching other surgeons and hope I can find one willing to try to help me get the use back of my arm.
Pain wise I am better off but the major loss of motion and power in my arm is frustrating.
Anyway, I wish you a better outcome than mine and many folks do better than I did.
Thanks for the chance to vent a little and good luck with your arm.
Mike
 
Tore mine off the ulna on my left arm. Doctor missed it, sent me to physical therapy, two experienced physical therapists missed it for six weeks, and the orthopedist took one look and said it was too late to fix it. My arm strength is lower, I can't turn my palm up as much, and for quite a while the bicep would cramp painfully when I lifted something, as it would continue to contract without an anchor.
 
(He would have put a hole in my bone ,bunched up the tendon and put it in the hole with some metal. after a while it would heal and work. The doctor said I wore it through and it popped. I was around forty years when this happened.

The long and short of it for me is I cannot turn my hand palm up and put pressure on it. This was how I tore it to start with and did more damage later on. I have to Popeye arm to but mine is up high and a flat spot near my elbow.)




My PT Therapist has me on a good long term solution, take your time with the repair. I have had great gains with "Palm-Up" therapy of the bicept tendon so far. The bicept controls the palm-up power of you forearm.
 
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