What Is The Biceps Tendon?
Located at the front of the arm, the biceps muscle plays a crucial role in rotating the wrist and flexing the elbow. The muscle has two tendons that attach it to the shoulder bones, and one tendon that attaches it to the elbow bone. Although these tendons are tough, they can still tear. A torn biceps is a common shoulder injury that is frequently seen by shoulder specialist . A biceps tendon tear is typically caused by a sports injury, fall, or extreme overuse. It causes significant pain, bruising, and a noticeable deformity of the biceps muscle.
The biceps muscle, located in the front of the arm, is responsible for flexing the elbow and rotating the wrist. It has two tendons that attach it to the shoulder bones and one tendon that attaches it to the elbow bone. These tendons are relatively tough but can still be susceptible to tearing. Shoulder specialist Dr. Nawaid Ahmed frequently treats biceps tendon tears, which typically occur due to sports injuries, falls, or overuse. The “long head” tendon attaches the muscle to the top of the shoulder socket and is more prone to injury compared to the “short head” tendon, which attaches to the shoulder blade. Although a complete tear of the long head tendon can be disabling, patients may still be able to use their biceps muscle thanks to the short head tendon.
What Is A Torn Biceps?
The occurrence of a torn biceps can be in the shoulder joint or the elbow joint.
Shoulder joint: A proximal biceps tendon tear is an injury to the tendon where it enters the shoulder and is commonly seen in adults over the age of 60 years or in association with a rotator cuff injury.
Elbow joint: A distal biceps tendon tear is an injury to the tendon where it enters the elbow and is commonly seen in middle-aged men heavily involved in sports and weight lifting
A biceps tendon can be damaged by repetitive stress or overuse, causing it to become frayed and possibly leading to a tear at its attachment site. The severity of a torn biceps is categorized as either partial or complete. A partial tear means that the tendon has been damaged but is not completely severed, while a complete tear indicates that the tendon has been completely separated from the bone. Treatment options for a torn biceps will depend on the severity of the injury and may include physical therapy, rest, or surgical intervention..
Symptoms Of A Biceps Tendon Injury
The sudden onset of intense pain in either the shoulder or elbow area is the primary symptom of a biceps tendon injury. Patients may also experience tenderness, bruising, cramping, a snapping sensation, or a popping sound. Many patients may notice a visible deformity in the injured area, often known as a “popeye” muscle deformity, as well as difficulties rotating the arm from a palm down to a palm up position.
Does A Biceps Tendon Injury Require Surgery?
Dr. Nawaid Ahmed often advises non-surgical approaches for minor or partial biceps tendon injuries. Rest, ice, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed to alleviate symptoms. Physical therapy is also initiated to help patients regain range of motion and increase strength. Working with in-house physical therapists is recommended to ensure optimal rehabilitation. During the healing process, patients are advised to avoid heavy lifting.
What Is Bicep Tendon Surgery?
If a torn biceps is severe or non-responsive to non-surgical treatment, surgery may be recommended by Dr.Nawaid Ahmed In most cases, tears of the tendon at the elbow require surgical intervention.
In cases where a biceps tendon injury is located at the shoulder, Dr. Nawaid Ahmed may perform an arthroscopic repair. This involves creating small incisions and re-anchoring the torn biceps tendon to the bone. If only a small portion of the tendon is damaged, a simple debridement (shaving) procedure may be performed. However, if a large portion of the tendon is damaged, a biceps tenodesis may be necessary. This procedure involves the removal of the torn tendon stump from inside the joint and the reattachment of the remaining tendon to the upper arm bone (humerus).