A biceps tendon tear can be either partial — the tendon is not completely severed through — or complete. A partial biceps tendon tear can be very irritating and lead to symptoms such as pain, tenderness and aching. A complete biceps tendon tear does not cause ongoing pain.
Can a partially torn bicep tendon heal itself?
Will a bicep tendon heal itself? Once a bicep is torn, it unfortunately will not reattach itself to the bone and heal on its own. There are, however, a variety of treatment options available depending on the severity of your injury and whether it was a partial or complete tear.
What does a partial bicep tear feel like?
The most obvious symptom will be a sudden, severe pain in the upper part of your arm or at the elbow, depending on where the tendon is injured. You may hear or feel a “pop” when a tendon tears. Other signs that you may have torn a biceps tendon can include: Sharp pain at the shoulder or elbow.
How do you treat a partially torn bicep?
Treatment
- Ice. Apply cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day to keep down swelling. …
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. Drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen reduce pain and swelling.
- Rest. Avoid heavy lifting and overhead activities to relieve pain and limit swelling. …
- Physical therapy.
Does a partial bicep tear require surgery?
Many doctors will recommend surgery as a first-line treatment for bicep tendon tears at the elbow, although surgery can also be done later if other treatments don’t restore range of motion and strength. Surgery is used to reattach the tendon to the bone.
How long can you wait to repair a torn bicep?
Surgery to repair the tendon should be performed during the first 2 to 3 weeks after injury. After this time, the tendon and biceps muscle begin to scar and shorten, and restoring arm function with surgery may not be possible.
Can I still workout with a torn bicep tendon?
In the case of a complete tear of the long head tendon, the short head tendon will allow you to continue using your biceps muscle. However, it can cause cramping and fatigue of the arm that may become worse with time.
What does a bicep strain feel like?
The most common symptom of a bicep tear or strain is pain in the upper arm, which can lead to bruising, muscle spasms, or loss of mobility and strength. Typically, nonsurgical treatments like rest, ice, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications can help provide relief from your symptoms.
How do I know if I have a torn bicep distal tendon?
Signs and symptoms of an Rupture of the Distal Biceps Tendon at the Elbow may include:
- Pain, swelling and/or bruising in the front of the elbow.
- Weakness in the affected arm when bending or twisting the elbow.
- Inability to feel the tendon and/or seeing the biceps muscle belly pull up towards the shoulder.
What happens if a torn tendon is not repaired?
If left untreated, eventually it can result in other foot and leg problems, such as inflammation and pain in the ligaments in the soles of your foot (plantar faciitis), tendinitis in other parts of your foot, shin splints, pain in your ankles, knees and hips and, in severe cases, arthritis in your foot.
What exercises can I do with a torn bicep tendon?
Biceps Curls
Step 1: Stand upright with your injured arm hanging at your side, palm facing out. Step 2: Gently bend your injured arm at the elbow, bringing your palm toward your shoulder. Step 3: Hold this bend for thirty seconds, then slowly release back to the starting position.
Is distal bicep surgery worth it?
Surgeons seem to agree that the benefit of surgery is a little more supination strength, with flexion strength returning close to normal with or without surgery. An untreated rupture causes less deformity than with proximal biceps rupture. Surgery adds a scar and does not entirely prevent deformity.
What is a partial bicep tear?
A biceps tendon tear can be either partial — the tendon is not completely severed through — or complete. A partial biceps tendon tear can be very irritating and lead to symptoms such as pain, tenderness and aching. A complete biceps tendon tear does not cause ongoing pain.
How long can you wait to repair a tendon?
The repaired tendon will usually be back to full strength after about 12 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months to regain the full range of movement. In some cases, it may never be possible to move the affected finger or thumb as much as before it was damaged.
Is distal bicep surgery painful?
Your arm may be in a splint or an elbow brace for 4 to 6 weeks. You may also be in a sling for a week or so. You may feel tired and have some pain for several days. Your arm may be swollen, but the swelling should go down a little each day.