Distal Biceps Repair
What is a Bicep Tendon Tear?
The biceps muscle, located in the front of the upper arm allows you to bend the elbow and rotate the arm. Biceps tendons attach the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder and in the elbow.
Biceps tear can be complete or partial. Partial biceps tendon tears will not completely break the tendon. Complete tendon tears will break the tendon into two parts.
Distal biceps tendon tears: Although two tendons attach the biceps muscle to the bone at the shoulder, only one tendon attaches it to the elbow. This is known as 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.
Diagnosis of Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
Distal biceps tendon tear is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination. During the physical examination, your doctor will look for a gap in the front of the elbow. Your doctor will diagnose a partial tear by asking you to bend your arm and tighten the biceps muscle. You may have pain if there is a partial tear. X-rays may be taken to rule out other conditions causing shoulder and elbow pain. Using an MRI scan, your doctor can know whether the tear is partial or complete.
Treatment Options for Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
Non-surgical Treatment Options for Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
Conservative treatment for a distal biceps tendon tears includes:
- ice application
- limiting activity
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the pain and keep down the swelling
- flexibility and strengthening exercises to restore the mobility and strengthen the surrounding muscles
Surgery for Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
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 their arm strength back, such as athletes or manual laborers, surgery may be the best option.
Your surgeon may opt for several surgical procedures for distal bicep tendon tear where the distal biceps tendon is reattached to the forearm bone. Some doctors would instead use two incisions, while some use only 1 incision. Both procedures carry certain advantages and disadvantages. 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.
Post-surgical Care for Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
Following surgical repair, you will need to do flexibility and strengthening exercises to improve the range of motion in your shoulder.
Risks and Complications of Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
Complications are rare and may include numbness and weakness in the forearm, formation of new bone, limited movement, and tearing may recur.