From someone who has suffered a proximal long head bicep tendon rupture and had surgery to repair it (tenodesis) and the shoulder (remove a bone spur, debridement & decompression), it is extremely important to see an orthopedic surgeon as soon as possible when a joint related injury occurs. Some tendon injuries are extremely time sensitive and must be repaired within weeks of the injury; otherwise, you run the risk of the injury being permanent, as the tendon will scar and retract over time.
@abbycroft011 ай бұрын
After this has happened,don’t tell people to live with it if they can. Tell them to fix it!quality of life matters!!
@orthopedics11 ай бұрын
Some people want it fixed, some don't
@markz.58913 ай бұрын
A lot of people live with it just fine.
@TK.0002 ай бұрын
He said if it doesn't bother you...
@nicotina503728 күн бұрын
Well what about if u cant afford it like me then fck it let it be
@imjustpassinthru2 ай бұрын
Question for commenters: Has anyone whose had a distal bicep tendon tear been unable to fully straighten their arm after the injury (prior to surgery)? That's what happened in my case. It was the first symptom, along with mild pain. I woke up one day and couldn't fully straighten my arm. I wasn't aware of having injured it. An MRI showed a small partial tear. The surgeon didn't want to operate. It wasn't bad enough of a tear, he said. I did a course of physical therapy but it didn't help to straighten my arm. It's still bent five years later and hurts from time to time. I got it aggravated yesterday washing my car.
@Dowhatyoucandonow10 ай бұрын
I tore my bicep elbow tendon and never did anything for it,it still hurts years later and I can't really make a muscle that well on that side but still able to do roofing for a living at 48 yrs old,little tasks like just drinking water on a nightstand hurt ,but no pain with heavy duty work
@kentm55699 ай бұрын
Thanks so much for the descriptions of the two possible injuries in the shoulder. From your descriptions I've been relieved to find I do not have a tear. A month ago without thinking, I maneuvered a barbell in such a way, that it dropped on me. I was not ready for what happened and the barbell fell in such a way that it stretched my shoulders BACK unexpectedly. As a result the joint area where the shoulder attaches to the upper arm was STRETCHED beyond what it was ready for. Only the front R shoulder area continues to ache but per your demonstration I have none of the symptoms you described just a constant dull ache. I'm online now looking for a healing liniment or balm that I can treat it with that will actually help healing, not just numb the pain........Many of the OTC rubs will numb the injury but they dont seem to help mend the tissues inside. Again, thanks for helping me to understand better what I am and am not dealing with.
@mainelybettas8472 жыл бұрын
Pretty sure I just tore mine from the superior Labrem. Big ball in my bicep , lots of bruising and pain. Thanks for the info. Headed to hospital now just to be sure. Informative video !
@jamestetrault3894 Жыл бұрын
I did in fact tear mine (left side) from the superior labrem. Had surgery. Attached at top of arm bone. Started rehab two days after surgery. 6 months later was back in the gym lifting. All good nearly 21 months later. I'm 55. The surgery was, in my opinion, successful. Be sure to do the mobility exercises. They're key!
@khkhkeKOA Жыл бұрын
Hi, what did the doctor say, what did you decide to do, and how is your recovery going? I just tore my right bicep off the shoulder and canʻt see my doctor until two days...
@jamestetrault3894 Жыл бұрын
@@khkhkeKOA The doctor told me after scans, that my labrum was torn, not just perforated. Had the surgery, as I said. That was in Dec. of 2020. The doc also cleared a bunch of scar tissue and deposits around the area, as I'm mid 50's and he said he's doing me a favor clearing that for me while he's already in there. Rehab was fine. Mostly mobility for the first 3 months. Not much strength training other than resistance bands. I was able to do light dumb bells (shoulder press, for ex) about 4-5 months after surgery. At the six month post surgery I started lifting program again. Have had ZERO problems with my shoulder since. I did really dial back the pace of increasing weight. No biggie. Just keeping it slow and steady. I'm as strong or stronger than before the injury. I do keep up with the mobility exercises, only not as frequently.
@TheSpongion2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for this Dr. Paul. I have a couple of question please. I understand the tendons don't have blood and nutrition supply like muscles do, so this raises the following questions: 1. Are we able to fortify the tendons and strengthen their bone attachment over time by a significant amount if we work them in the gym? 2. Following inflammation in the tendon due to over workout in the gym, is wear and tear of the tendon-bone connection point accumulating over time even after pain subsided and apparent healing? or does the connection point eventually heal up to 100% strength as before injury?
@Eagle2894 Жыл бұрын
Hello, did you get answers to your questions somewhere?
@sharonboehm5296 Жыл бұрын
i had a longhesd bicep tenotomy 4 wks ago. doing fine until a week ago i tried to put my charger into the power - encountered resistance and felt a sudden sting in the bicep muscle. later that day i tried to reposition myself on my couch and i heard this loud pop/click sound. PAIN +++ especially the back of the arm. no bruising or swelling at either injury. US showed i dislocated the longheadbicep tendon 8cm and a subscap tear. elbow hurts from time to time. pain is experienced at different points. i see my orthopaedic surgeon on Wednesday. i hope i dont need surgery.
@alberteinstien4322 Жыл бұрын
Are u good now?
@finite9346 ай бұрын
I tore 'something', and heard it rip during training, but the hook test is negative and tendon thickness seems the same as my other arm. Ultrasound also shows that long headed tendon is still there although it's very thin they say. I have slight bulging at the bottom of my bicep despite that, and the first few days I had muscle spasms in the body of the bicep near the distal area, and fluid retention in my hand. Three weeks later, I've got weakness in the bicep, and I get a burning sensation in the crease of the elbow and a bit up into the forearm when I try to strain my arm (lifting shopping bags etc). I also have a supraspinatus tear according to the ultrasound, but it's partial and I still have a lot of function. Any ideas if it's a long headed tendon problem anyway, or some other soft tissue tear in the crease of the arm? My bicep seems to be in place, but I cannot flex it fully like I usually can, and it's no longer hard when I flex it.
@IamAgrocerybag4 ай бұрын
Same boat sorry you didn't get a response. Any updates friend?
@finite9344 ай бұрын
@@IamAgrocerybag Had 2 ultra-sound scans, an MRI and visits to orthopedic surgeon. Inconclusive results. nothing obvious ripped, not tendons at least, but probably other tissue structures around inside of elbow, Could be the second attachment at the lower end of the bicep that attaches to the forearm. Slowly gainging strength back, feels less swollen now and looks like it might be on track for decent recovery in next 2-3 months. I was probably lucky it wasn't a tendon rip.
@nealamesbury79534 ай бұрын
I heard a bad tear too. Yep heard it
@finite9344 ай бұрын
@@nealamesbury7953 its the most depressing sound I know. Hope rehab goes well for you.
@ericmark472 жыл бұрын
Are you a orthopedic surgeon? I need one for my torn bicep on the outer arm above the elbow that's where my pain is
@wellscraft10 ай бұрын
I thought I had a tear but there's no bruising and I can still rotate my hand well. There is an extra lump at the bottom of my bicep near the elbow but only when I bend my arm. If I let my arm hang straight at the side, it doesn't bunch up as of now. I know I need to get it looked at, and will, but it'll be a few days. The pain isn't bad unless I try to pick up something at a certain angle away from my body and then it feels like a pinch or stab. Can you tease muscle belly with out tearing the tendon?
@girlchris9 Жыл бұрын
Hi, I know this video is over a yr old but thought I'd ask a Q anyways. Great video btw and I liked how quick it was. Please press like button. If the tendon is ripped off of shoulder joint, is there a crucial time frame for surgical repair? For example: can 2 or more yrs go by before I pursue a surgical fix? Thank you for any answer I may receive, from Dr or viewers, all is welcome.
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
You can repair it even years later, the biceps is still attached to the coracoid so the muscle shouldn't atrophy or shorten significantly. Tearing it at the elbow is a different story, that needs to get repaired ASAP
@aadarshdandriyal4 ай бұрын
had the same thing and want to get it done in 2-3 year, my doctors tells me it can be done in 6 months or so
@GadgetyRon Жыл бұрын
I have just received MRI test results, which describe a "High-grade partial tear of the distal biceps tendon". It's been about 4 months since the injury. Though I went to the emergency room when it happened, it's taken me this much time to work my way through the HMO gatekeepers to finally get an actual diagnosis. While the pain is not intense, it does bother me constantly, and I have significant weakness from the injury. Is it too late for surgical repair? Is surgery typically recommended for a high grade partial tendon tear at the distal end? I'm waiting for my post-MRI appointment with my orthopedic surgeon.
@TheAlmighty9 ай бұрын
Did you ever get surgery? I got mine two months late and I’m on the way to recovery. I’m always afraid of accidentally returning it because I don’t know how that would feel.
@GadgetyRon9 ай бұрын
@@TheAlmighty Yes, I finally had the surgery about 10 weeks ago. My tendon was really shredded, and they had to remove about 2 inches of its length to get to tendon healthy enough that the sutures holding the endo button wouldn't rip right through. The surgeon was kind enough to take a photo for me. As a result, they were unable to straighten my arm beyond 90 degrees at first. Fortunately, the bicep compensates, and I was soon able to regain full range of motion. I never had any significant pain after the surgery, which was amazing. Though I haven't yet been cleared for lifting beyond 5 pounds or so, in reality, I've more or less returned to my normal routine (which includes regularly lifting, playing with, and changing the diapers of my twins, 18 months). The arm is feeling really good now, almost totally normal. Unfortunately, I then experienced a shattered collarbone in Mexico 7 weeks after my tendon surgery (trying to reattach a sheet of plywood protecting sliding glass doors during a hurricane, long story), and had to have emergency surgery at 1am after waiting 2 days for the hospital to regain electricity, as they couldn't perform surgery on generator power. I was able to get a photo of that surgery as well. Fun times, lol. The tendon feels great though. And now I have a cool titanium rod and 8 screws holding my clavicle together.👍As for the tendon surgery, I have zero regrets, only wish I'd been able to get it sooner. The arm is back to feeling normal like it did before the injury. Best of luck in your recovery, I hope it goes as well as mine has!
@jacobbarquero912110 ай бұрын
I have me lower tendon for sure detached I did the hook challenge is not there, its been two weeks I did this while sparring, yet I still worked out at the gym.I def have to go check it out then.
@integratedwealthmanagement5 ай бұрын
Thank you! I’m 72 and very active and have stayed in good shape. However, I experienced the proximal tear and Popeye bicep last week playing pickleball. Where could I find good rehab exercises to get back on the court. Thanks again!
@slaws22792 жыл бұрын
I did the hook test, and I can feel my tendon. I’m wondering if my bicep pain is just tendinitis.
@RolyLifts2 ай бұрын
how is it now? i have the same problem
@slaws22792 ай бұрын
@@RolyLifts I’m all healed now. I don’t even remember posting this comment. Best I can recall, I think I lifted too heavy.
@RolyLifts2 ай бұрын
@@slaws2279 Thank you bro, glad to hear it
@michaelmurillo0098Ай бұрын
What if i have a minor tear by my elbow it doesnt hurt but looks weird and lost about 10% strength
@KILLTHEM851 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing. I recently ruptured my upper tendon in bicep. Decided to let it be.
@raeezdramat3452 Жыл бұрын
How is it now ? Greetings Sean is your bicep fully functional?
@KILLTHEM851 Жыл бұрын
@@raeezdramat3452 Yes, but cramps easily if I was doing bicep curls
@raeezdramat3452 Жыл бұрын
@@KILLTHEM851 thank you for replying, I hope you'll get better though you are lucky it is not your lower tendon ( distal ) I think I ruptured mine and need to make a plan for it to get checked
@ShadowNelt Жыл бұрын
@@raeezdramat3452 did you have a full or a partial distal tear?
@raeezdramat3452 Жыл бұрын
@@ShadowNelt it was a full tear my arm is useless now
@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS Жыл бұрын
I can't believe the bicep connection to the shoulder couture and it's just okay to leave it that way. What about when you trying to use your arm? You have mobility loss and pain right? If one of the three connections to the bone is broken, you're going to have strength lost too aren't you?
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
There is no significant strength loss because the biceps is still very much attached to the coracoid. Distal biceps rupture is a different issue
@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS Жыл бұрын
@@orthopedics does that mean it's still connected to the forum in some way?
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
@@BARBELLS-AND-BUDS Yes, unless you tear it down there
@kenseal4 ай бұрын
why do you say "tear" when you mean "rupture" or vice vera , Two different things surely??? I mean, I would imagine that a tear might have some chance of eventually healing albeit partially, whereas a rupture would not. That`s a big difference.
@orthopedics4 ай бұрын
The terms are generally used interchangeably, however tears can be partial or full thickness while ruptures would generally be considered full thickness
@DTUFINOPhotography4 ай бұрын
i head a pop by my elbow, and while i can somewhere hook my tendo, there is some inflammation there so i can really hook it.... getting an mri done on Tuesday, i can feel the tendon and follow it to where it connects in my forearm bone, but its def somewhat sore. I also have pretty good supination with "slight pain" but slowly going away.
@joetorpey7316 Жыл бұрын
Hi I just had an MRI this morning meeting with the Doctor in a week. My long head tor several years ago, but my doctor is concerned that I tore the short head. I’ve looked at the MRI disc and from what I can tell there is a partial tear in the middle of the short head tendon. I’ve had quite a lot of bruising. Are there any videos on PT for dealing with a short head tear so I can get back to golfing? Thanks for any info, I’m 70 by the way.
@KerryRoycroft-lb4mv4 ай бұрын
I I tore my left arm bicep from the elbow. It’s been about six years for it. Is it possible to get it reattached
@KerryRoycroft-lb4mv4 ай бұрын
I have right arm torn bicep from the shoulder it’s been about five years since I tore it no pain or nothing. It’s already healed from what it was torn, but it’s not attached. Is it possible to get it reattached
@georgen34256 ай бұрын
What exercises help strengthen a muscle with one upper torn bicep tendon? I have a Popeye muscle.
@RandoRaf Жыл бұрын
thanks for the this vid. I work out regulary for past 22yrs. I'm 41 now. 4 weeks ago I went to lift my sons computer under his desk to move it close towards wall when i lifted it with my arms extended I felt pop in left elbow. I had some mild pain and discomfort. NO swelling or bruising, no visual change to bicep appearance. Is it possible that even though i felt and herd a pop that it was not tendon tear? Its been almost 5weeks now. I have no pain or any discomfort. BUT i can't curl or do pullups hurts alot. But after week of rest I no issues turning my arm or turning scewdriver no pain.
@matthank5044 Жыл бұрын
I tore mine a month+ ago. The recovery is the worst. Cant lift anything at all with right arm. Starting to think it’s never going to heal.
@jamesdemoss49318 ай бұрын
any progress?
@matthank50448 ай бұрын
@@jamesdemoss4931 yeah. Bicep feels almost 100% now. Still a bit weaker than before but the pain and discomfort is gone.
@jamesdemoss49318 ай бұрын
@@matthank5044 distal tear or proximal tear? i did some assisted pull ups yesterday on the machine but too heavy on the eccentric and i ripped something. surprisingly doesnt hurt. at the doctors now to see whats going on
@rjl572 жыл бұрын
I believe I tore my bicep in late april, 2022. I picked up a crate and went to throw it. My doctor says it is tore. But I never had a bruising. There was a pop followed by a shredding feeling when this happened. I do work out daily, and have for decades. I’m currently 64 years of age. But I question did I actually tear the bicep?
@Th3BigBoy2 жыл бұрын
Did you ever fet an answer?
@ryansmith43188 ай бұрын
Is it possible just to tear the distal bicep tendon and not complete rupture it? Will lifting weights I felt a pop on my bicep side of my elbow and now have slight pain when I subination or pronate my forearm. I actually ruptured my other bicep tendon years back while lifting a very light weight
@mattturek3105 Жыл бұрын
How late is too late to get a distal tendon tear repaired? Would 12 weeks, approximately, be more harm than good?
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
Normally you want to get to it in the first two weeks, otherwise it scars down and the repair can be hard
@akinjosiah2135 Жыл бұрын
So around 6 months ago I was working out when I felt discomfort in my bicep after I visually could see a line going from bicep to the tricep and feel the suspected torn muscle fibres 6 months on I can still feel the line where the tear in the fibres was but it feels like new fibres have grown there I can feel the difference between the new fibres and the fibres I already had I stopped working out due to fear I'd end up like popeye can I get back working out or what would you suggest
@Ouch1e2 жыл бұрын
Thank you
@CryptoGrit8 ай бұрын
what about total tear of your triceps down to your elbow? do i need to reattach if I want to have full strength? Thanks
@orthopedics8 ай бұрын
Triceps tendon tears almost always require surgery
@CryptoGrit8 ай бұрын
I have almost total rapture... like it sticks on 6mm and it raised for 13mm not sure what to do :/ @@orthopedics
@orthopedics8 ай бұрын
@@CryptoGrit I'm sorry I can't legally give medical advice on this platform, or any other unless you live in Colorado
@samuelhenry5012 Жыл бұрын
Really helpful, and sadly I need to go to see a doctor soon 🤦🏼♂️😂
@lorenzo8714 ай бұрын
Same😢
@samuelhenry50124 ай бұрын
Get it reattached asap, it’s actually not too bad, was back in the gym within 6-8 weeks after. Less than a year I was back to full strength.
@albarodriguez54582 ай бұрын
Can you wrap it and will it help
@orthopedics2 ай бұрын
Wrapping is a way to decrease inflammation that may result from small tears
@wackiestgravity8857 Жыл бұрын
If you do tear the upper bicep tendon, and have that bulging bicep appearance (popeye arm), can you still lift weights safely, and how significant will it's strength be affected?
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
You can still lift weights safely after the pain has gone away, since the biceps is still attached at the coracoid strength loss is usually not very significant
@wackiestgravity8857 Жыл бұрын
@@orthopedics I’m very relieved to hear that. This injury just happened a couple nights ago. The Popeye effect visually looks awesome. Lol. I’ve been researching orthopedic doctor channels on YT, and it seems there’s a surgery they often perform called a Biceps Tenotomy(I believe that’s the correct spelling). It’s prognosis sounds similar to a spontaneous proximal injury/tear of the long head of bicep. Is that a fair comparison? I’m just looking for a silver lining here, in that there may be an upside to all this in the long run as far as having less pain in shoulder.
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
@@wackiestgravity8857 Yes, a tenotomy is the same as tearing it yourself. Brett Favre had a tenotomy if it makes you feel any better
@wackiestgravity8857 Жыл бұрын
@@orthopedics ❤️🙏Thank you so much!
@Th3BigBoy2 жыл бұрын
what if it does rear in rhat spot you say it rarely does? What do you do then?
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
Tears near the shoulder can leave it, tears at the elbow should get it surgically fixed
@rohitbhardwaj2373 Жыл бұрын
sir 2 years back i was bench pressing and during the descending (eccentric) phase i felt a pop in both my inner elbows with a (3/10) pain, i was able to re rack my weight, since i had no bruising/swelling and pain went away in 2days with no reduction in Range of motion i just didn't care enough (although from that i day onwards i developed both golfers and tennis elbow when i completely extend my elbows) since now i learnt that it could have been a rupture I'm extremely paranoid. does it sounds like a partial rupture and would it have been repaired on its own in last 2 years. will it completely rupture if i continue physical activity? I'm from India and by default every doctor physio just say to stop doing every excercise forever no doctor is into fitness culture here.😢
@deepakdubey11308 ай бұрын
Bhai mere ko koi solution bata de yar India mei doctors ko logo ko pata hai kya distal bicep tendon rupture hota kya hai aur mujhe jab ye hua tha tab Maine koi pop sound nhi suna bicep mei sujan thi aur hath sidha nhi kar pa rha tha mei fir uske bad normal medicine liye thik ho gya but 2-3 mhine bad gym chalu Kiya tab meri strength mujhe Kam lgi injured hath ki jo ki right hand hai but bicep curl wagera marte wakt koi pain nhi hota mei but 20-25% strength Kam ho gyi aur agar mei abhi hook test Karu toh mujhe tendon feel hoti hai.. aur agar mujhe pata lagana hai ki Mera distal bicep tendon join hua ya tuta hi toh kaun sa scan karau abhi mujhe 8 mahine ho gye hai bhai reply de Dena
@khkhkeKOA Жыл бұрын
I just tore my right bicep from the shoulder... how long is my recovery if I do not go to the doctors? Anyone? I am 46 and an active person. I was into weights and CrossFit although since my 2 year old daughter was born I haven't done any serious workouts. My job and my family need my physical health and of course this could not have happened at a more delicate time.
@nikhil199029 Жыл бұрын
What about partial rupture?
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
Good question, if it's the distal biceps (elbow) and it's painful then it can be detached and repaired. For the shoulder, the tear can also be completed and reattached if it is painful, or just completed and left alone
@kilianloganellis2982 жыл бұрын
??????? ?
@lisamarie11572 жыл бұрын
Really Dr??? I'm so sorry, but when my right shoulder had been ripped out of place...a Human Being doesn't Suffer from Mild Pain it's Severe!! Do u know what it's like to half to Adapt to the realization of waiting several weeks to get Surgery done!! No u probably don't, and I hope that you'll Never have to....But having a shoulder out of place puts, so many thing's in perspective, u have to learn how to use the other part of yr Brain, and start from 1st grade level. So plz give yr current, and future patients some kind of remedy to Help them .
@cookiemonstermama3693611 ай бұрын
Sorry. Wrong. All the structures need to be looked at. The bicep tear or subluxation can be a symptom of a ligament tear
How about the superior anterior migration thank you
@orthopedics Жыл бұрын
Usually only get superior migration of the humeral head when the rotator cuff is fully torn
@yabutjjuan6055 Жыл бұрын
@@orthopedics thank you 😊
@yabutjjuan6055 Жыл бұрын
@@orthopedics how about fall with elbow humeral head pop up upward it is shoulder migration?
@donnaperry3736 Жыл бұрын
Im getting a mri
@FilippoCardoni Жыл бұрын
Hello, I need a clarification please: I injured my bicep while working out with still rings. I felt absolutely NO pain during the workout or afterwards, but a couple of days after I began to feel some pain right in the middle of the bicep. Pain sort of feels sharp but it only occurs when I flex my bicep as in "the lower part of a pullup" so to say, or when I try to grab my wallet in my back pocket. I was at rest 2 weeks and then started working out again LIGHTLY, the pain is sort of still there altough manageable, but upon looking at myself in the mirror I noticed that my bicep looks shortened and it's different from my left bicep: It sort of looks like it's a popeye syndrome but I'm sure it's not since the "ball" is curling from the bottom, not from the top, so it looks like it got shortened on my distal tendon. I had or have absolutely no swelling, no bruising, nothing, just light pain and discomfort. Am I overthinking it, and maybe it was always like that and I never noticed? I can hook it just fine the way you explained it but it hurts lightly and it feels somewhat different when compared to the other bicep tendon, the other feels stronger and a bit harder, so to say. Could it be a partial tear? And if so, is it normal that it hurts "this little"? What should I do? Thank you a lot for your time.