Distal Biceps Tendon Rupture and Repair

Just over 2 weeks ago I ruptured both biceps tendons at the same time. They are distal biceps tendon tears, which means they tore at the elbow. Unbelievable. It was one of those moments when something happens and you just know that something bad is wrong. Wow. I'm not invincible after all. What a terrible realization. Below are a few excerpts I have taken from different sites outlining certain things related to the injury, repair, and recovery.

Once torn, the biceps tendon at the elbow will not grow back to the bone and heal. Other arm muscles make it possible to bend the elbow fairly well without the biceps. However, they cannot fulfill all the functions, especially the motion of rotating the forearm from palm down to palm up. This is called supination. Significant, permanent weakness during supination will occur if this tendon is not surgically repaired.

In most cases, tears of the distal biceps tendon are complete. This means that the entire muscle is detached from the bone and pulled toward the shoulder. Distal biceps tendon rupture is equally likely in the dominant and non-dominant arm. Other arm muscles can substitute for the injured tendon, usually resulting in full motion and reasonable function. Left without surgical repair, however, the injured arm will have a 30% to 40% decrease in strength, mainly in twisting the forearm (supination).

Rupture of the biceps tendon at the elbow is unusual. It occurs in only one to two people per 100,000 each year, and rarely in women.

Are you kidding me?!?! 1 or 2 out of 100,000 and both of mine are torn. All I can do is laugh.

 Complications. Surgical complications are generally rare and temporary. They occur in about 6% to 9% of patients.

• Numbness and/or weakness in the forearm can occur and usually goes away.
• New bone may develop around the site where the tendon is attached to the forearm bone. While this usually causes little limitation of movement, sometimes it can reduce the ability to twist the forearm. This requires additional surgery.
• Rerupture after full healing of the repair is uncommon.

Here is a video of the surgical procedure-






Rehabilitation
● Splint in 90 degrees of fl exion and neutral rotation
until fi rst postoperative visit at 7 to 10 days.
● A hinged elbow brace or removable posterior mold at
90 degrees of fl exion is placed at the fi rst
postoperative visit.
● Initiate passive and active-assisted range of motion
from 30 degrees to full fl exion and increase to full
extension by 6 weeks postoperatively.
● Unrestricted motion is permitted and strengthening is
initiated at 6 weeks postoperatively.
● Return to unrestricted activities is allowed at 16 to 20
weeks postoperatively

Well, here we go....wish me luck!