Biceps tendon tears occur when the tendons are overused and exposed to repeated stress. This can cause frayed and torn tendons due to weirdly moving or twisting the elbow or shoulder or falling on an outstretched hand.
Injuries to the biceps tendons include:
Biceps tendon tears can occur at either the shoulder or the elbow and can be complete or partial tears. When a complete bicep tendon tear occurs, the entire tendon has torn away from the bone.
There are several different causes and risk factors associated with biceps tendon tears. The two main causes of biceps tendon tears include:
Trauma – Lifting a very heavy object that overpowers the muscle or falling on an outstretched hand can cause sudden injury to the bicep tendon.
Overuse – Overuse can wear down and fray the biceps tendon, leading to a biceps tendon tear. This happens gradually over time and occurs naturally with age. Sports activities that involve repetitive throwing increase the possibility of bicep tendon tears due to overuse.
The following factors increase the risk of biceps tendon ruptures:
Age – It is more common in older people since their bicep tendon has experienced more wear and tear.
Repetitive overhead movements– Lifting heavy objects over the head, such as in weightlifting, can cause excess wear and eventually tear the biceps tendon.
Overuse of the shoulder – Overusing the ball and socket joint of the shoulders increases the risk of biceps tendon rupture. Swimmers, throwing athletes, and tennis players usually tear their biceps tendons.
Corticosteroid medications – This causes soft tissues, muscle, and biceps tendon rupture.
Sudden, severe pain in the upper arm muscle or at the elbow is the most common symptom of a biceps tendon tear. Also, a popping sound or sensation may occur when the bicep tendon tears. Other symptoms of a biceps tendon tear include:
Activities may be recommended to help your bicep tendon tears in their recovery and increase your range of motion. Talk to your physical therapist during your physical examination appointment about which strengthening exercises will best help you and how to do them properly.
You may do these strengthening exercises right away. If any activity increases pain in your biceps tendon, stop doing it. Avoid overhead lifting while your biceps tendon is under recovery.
Bring the palm of the hand on the injured side up toward your shoulder, bending your elbow as much as possible. Straighten your elbow as far as you can go. Repeat 2 sets of 15.
Stand facing a wall. Raise your injured arm out to the side and place the thumb side of your hand against the wall. Keep your arm straight, and turn your body in the opposite direction of the raised arm until you can feel a stretch in your biceps. Hold for 15 seconds. Repeat this 3 times.
Stand and carry a 5- to 8-pound weight in your hand. If you don't have weight, use a soup can or hammer. Bend your elbow, then bring your hand toward your shoulder. Hold for 5 seconds. Gradually straighten your arm and return to your starting position. Execute 2 sets of 8-12.
Stand straight with your injured upper arm hanging down at your side. While keeping your arm straight, bring your arm forward and up toward the ceiling. Hold this position for 5 seconds. Do 2 sets of 8-12. As this exercise becomes easier, put on additional weight.
Stand with your side next to a door with the injured arm closest to the door. Tie a knot at the end of the tubing and shut the knot in the door. Hold the other end with the hand of your injured arm. Slowly bend the elbow of your injured arm to a right angle. Keep your elbow at your side, rotate your upper arm across your body, and then slowly back to the starting position. Keep your forearm parallel to the floor. Do 2 sets of 8-12.
Stand with your side next to a door and the injured arm farther from the door. Tie a knot at the end of the tubing and close the knot in the door. Hold the other end with the hand of the injured arm. Rest the hand of the injured arm across your stomach. Keeping your elbow at your side, rotate your arm outward and away from your waist. Slowly bring back your arm to the starting position. Make sure you keep your elbow bent to a right angle and your forearm parallel to the floor. Repeat 10 times. Work up to 2 sets of 15.
Lie on your uninjured side with your injured arm resting on your side and bend your elbow to a right angle. Keep your elbow against your side, lift your forearm toward the ceiling and hold for 2 seconds. Slowly lower your arm. Do 2 sets of 15. You can begin this exercise by holding a soup can or a light object and gradually adding more weight as long as there's no pain.
Lie on your injured side with hips and knees flexin and your arm extending in front of you. Bend the elbow of your injured side to a right angle so that your fingers are pointing to the ceiling. Use your other hand to push your arm to the floor gently. Keep your shoulder blades lightly squeezed together while doing this exercise. Hold the stretch for 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times.
Non-surgical treatment for biceps tendon rupture treats a tear in the biceps tendon, the long, cord-like structure that connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder and the upper arm bone, without surgery. The biceps tendon may completely break at the shoulder blade or at the elbow.
Non-surgical treatment options may include ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), rest, and physical therapy. Talk to your doctor about how you should treat the biceps tear.
If you have a bicep tendon tear and any of these therapeutic movements make the pain worse, it is important to stop doing them immediately and schedule a physical examination appointment with our physical therapist at Palm Wellness Center. Schedule your biceps tendon tear appointment at (813) 443-5370 or visit our website at www.palmwellness.center.
