The intent of this protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the post operative rehabilitation. The full text of this article is available in pdf format. Distal biceps tendon protocol brigham and womens hospital. A biceps tendon rupture is a complete or partial rupture of a tendon of the biceps brachii muscle. A biceps tendon rupture is a condition characterized by complete tearing of one or more tendons of the biceps muscle. A report of 19 patients treated with anatomic reinsertion and a metaanalysis of 147 cases.
A torn biceps in younger athletes sometimes occurs during weightlifting or from actions that cause a sudden load on the arm, such as hard fall with the arm. This injury type is the most common type of biceps tendon injury. The muscle has two tendons that attach it to the bones of the scapula bone of the. To describe the sonographic findings of distal biceps tendon ruptures and to assess the accuracy of the technique. The biceps muscle is located at the front of your upper arm. May 21, 2015 tendon damage including rupture has been reported rarely in patients receiving quinolones eg, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin. Distal biceps ruptures are relatively uncommon injuries. It is less common to injure this tendon when the elbow is forcibly bent against a heavy load.
Rupture of the tendon of the long head of the biceps brachii. Suture anchor reinsertion of distal biceps rupture. Biceps tendon injuries include a spectrum of disorders ranging from mild tendinopathy to complete tendon rupture. Outcomes and complications after repair of complete distal.
The proximal biceps tendon can rupture in a younger patient with activities such as weightlifting or throwing sports, 3. Rehabilitation guidelines for distal bicep tendon repair. Distal biceps tendon repair gundersen health system. Histopathologic analysis of the extraarticular biceps tendon and tenosynovium. This is because there are other muscles that can perform part of the job of the biceps muscle. The goal of surgery is to restore strength and endurance to the musculature as well as maintain range of motion in the elbow joint.
Savin and others published surgical management of acute distal biceps tendon ruptures find, read and. Azur, repair of acute distal biceps tendon ruptures in operative techniques. They found that the injury occurs in the dominant extremity 86% of the time and smokers have a 7. A tendon is the fibrous tissue that attaches muscle to bone in the human body. Inflam mation of the biceps tendon in the bicipital groove, which is known as primary biceps tendinitis, occurs in 5 percent of patients with biceps tendinitis. Published clinical guidelines usually recommend surgical repair for young athletes who require maximum supination strength in daily activities. If any exercise increases your pain, stop doing it. Pdf rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps brachii muscle. Optimal positioning for mri of the distal biceps brachii. Biceps tendon rupture usually follows a traumatic event long head biceps tendon ruptures often involve people between 40 and 60 years of age, with men affected significantly more often than women. At the top of the muscle each head has a tendon that attaches to the shoulder girdle. Inability to palpate distal biceps tendon in antecubital fossa.
Biceps tendon and triceps tendon injuries mark drakos, md. May 21, 2019 bicipital tendonitis exercises pdf also called bicipital tendonitis, is inflammation that shoulder or from an injury to the biceps tendon. We report on 7 cases of partial rupture of the distal biceps tendon. You may experience weakness when flexing the elbow. Tendons are bands of tough, fibrous tissue connecting a muscle and a bone. Jan 06, 2020 biceps tendon rupture are of 2 types, proximal biceps tendon rupture and distal biceps tendon rupture.
Two tendons from this muscle extend and attach to the scapula while at the lower end, another tendon attaches to the radius bone of the lower arm. Without surgery, there is a significant probability that function of. Traumatic ruptures of the biceps tendon are rare, but serious, and usually involve the long head of the proximal insertion. Ruptures of the distal tendon account for only 3% of all biceps tendon ruptures. Chronic rupture may be due to missed diagnosis or failure of conservative treatment. Distal biceps tendon repair rehabilitation protocol. In younger patients, tears of the biceps tendon typically occur where the long head of the biceps attaches to the labrum. Rupture of the biceps tendon at the elbow is unusual. When is a conservative approach best for proximal biceps. It happens most often in middleaged people and is usually due to years of wear and tear on the shoulder. Most of the weakness after a biceps tendon rupture occurs when twisting your forearm to turn the palm upward, also called. Proximal biceps tendon tendinitis may be a grade 1 or 2 strain of the. The pain can radiate towards the insertion of the deltoid muscle or down to the hand in a radial distribution.
If you do not have a weight, use a soup can or hammer. Audible poppatient hears and feels pop when tendon is separated or ruptured. Epidemiology rupture of the distal biceps tendon is a relatively rare injury that may have important functional consequences. The biceps originates from the front of the shoulder blade attaching here via the short and long head of biceps and inserts into the forearm via the distal. The elbow will usually continue to work after a biceps tendon rupture. There have been many suggestions for optimally imaging the elbow using mri 38. Nontraumatic tendon ruptures, including those of the biceps brachii, show evidence of advanced degeneration. Distal bicep tendon repair rehabilitation protocol the intent of this protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline of the postoperative rehabilitation course for a patient that has undergone a distal biceps tendon repair. Threc were operated ontwo in the acute stage and one after 3 monthsand.
When the biceps tendon ruptures, this tendon is detached. The singleincision technique offers advantages of simple technique, reliable results, low complications, and cosmetic incision. Coleb, q2 q3 q4 q5 introduction q7 the functional role of the long head of the biceps tendon lhbt in glenohumeral joint. Long head of the biceps tendon rupture in professional wrestlers. A patients guide to distal biceps rupture the introduction a distal biceps rupture occurs when the tendon attaching the biceps muscle to the elbow is torn from the bone. Accordingly, mechanical impingement on the tendon with the forearm in a pronated position is suggested as another contributing factor of distal biceps tendon rupture. Five cases of rupture of the distal biceps tendon are described. The main cause of a distal biceps tendon tear is a sudden injury. If you tear the biceps tendon at the shoulder, you may lose some strength in your arm and have pain when you forcefully turn your arm from palm down to palm up. Sep 01, 2009 risk factors of biceps rupture include a history of rotator cuff tear, recurrent tendinitis, contralateral biceps tendon rupture, rheumatoid arthritis, age older than 40 years, and poor.
Ruptures of the proximal biceps tendon make up nearly all biceps ruptures. Rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps brachii muscle is easy to diagnose. Distal biceps tendon rupture is an uncommon musculoskeletal injury that predominantly affects middleaged men 1, 2. Partial rupture of the distal biceps tendon request pdf. Despite this there is no absolute indication for surgery. Biceps tendon tear at the elbow the biceps muscle is in the front of your upper arm.
A biceps rupture involves a complete tear of the main tendon that attaches the top of the biceps muscle to the shoulder. At the shoulder there are two tendon attachements, where as at the elbow there is one tendon distal attaching to the radius bone of the forearm. A biceps tenodesis is a surgical procedure which may be performed for treatment of severe symptoms involving the biceps tendon, including inflammation or partial tears. The prognosis for biceps tendon ruptures is good for both surgical repair and for conservative management. Shoulder ultrasound is an accurate method to confirm a normal biceps tendon or fullthickness tear, but is less accurate in the diagnosis of partialthickness tear and nontear abnormalities. Bend your elbow and bring your hand palm up toward your shoulder. These injuries are called slap tears, a name that describes the. Distal biceps tendon repair rehabilitation protocol the following protocol should be used as a guideline for rehabilitation progression, but may need to be altered pending the nature and extent of the surgical procedure, healing restraints or patient tolerance. Wikimedia commons has media related to biceps tendon rupture. These tears are rarely associated with other medical conditions. However, the anatomy of the distal biceps brachii tendon. Rupture occurs most frequently at the long head of the proximal tendon, but may occur in the distal tendon.
This injury occurs mainly in middleaged men during heavy work or lifting. Coexistent injuries at the biceps tendon origin and superior glenoid labrum constitute a variety of disorders known as slap. Biceps tendinosis is caused by degeneration of the tendon from athletics requiring overhead motion or from the normal aging process. What to know about a torn biceps tendon at the shoulder. The forces applied to a tendon may be more than 5 times your body weight. Distal biceps tendon ruptures present with an initial tearing sensation. It is by no means intended to be a substitute for ones clinical decision making. Rotate your body in the opposite direction of the raised arm until you feel a stretch in your biceps. Distal biceps tendon repair rehabilitation protocol michael. The biceps tendon connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder blade scapula and the radius bone in the lower arm. Disorders of the distal biceps brachii tendon1 michael l. Rehabilitation guidelines for distal biceps tendon repair. Rupture of the biceps tendon affects the strength of flexion and supination at the elbow.
The intent of this protocol is to provide the clinician with a guideline to establish and progress a patient through post operative rehabilitation. The shoulder blade is the large, flat, triangular bone that forms the back part of the shoulder. Hook the distal biceps tendon insertion at radial head to evaluate whether intact. Bicep muscle crampuse of upper arm causes cramping of biceps muscle.
Spontaneous rupture of the distal biceps tendon rbt is uncommon, with an estimated prevalence of less than 1 per persons aged 56 to 74 years. Chronic biceps tendon rupture is defined as tendon tear for more than 4 weeks. Distal biceps tendon ruptures are reported as occurring on the dominant arm of male patients between the third and sixth decades of life. Surgical intervention is most commonly performed in younger patients that require strenuous use of the upper extremity such as athletes. A normal biceps tendon is connected strongly to the bone. Pdf rupture of the distal tendon of the biceps brachii.
The more common proximal ruptures account for 90% to 97% of all biceps ruptures and almost exclusively involve the long head. This case demonstrates that when a patients occupation and lifestyle do not require a high degree of supination. Biceps tenodesis protocol boston shoulder institute. Postoperative rehabilitation of a distal biceps brachii tendon.
For functional and cosmetic reasons the tendon to the radial tuberosity should be reinserted. Biceps tendon tear at the elbow the biceps muscle is located in the front of your upper arm. Tendon rupture may occur within 48 hours of starting treatment but has also been reported several months after stopping a quinolone. Rupture of the distal biceps tendon in a collegiate. If you fall hard on an outstretched arm or lift something too heavy, you can tear your biceps tendon. The typical mechanism of injury is an eccentric extension force loaded on a flexed and supinated forearm.
Top of page cause the main cause of a distal biceps tendon tear is a sudden injury. Diagnosis and treatment of biceps tendinitis and tendinosis. Theauthors ofthis study projected an incidence of 1. Repair of the biceps tendon end of tendon trimmed sutures placed figure 2. This article covers the causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and exercises for biceps tendon rupture.
A distal biceps rupture is rare compared to ruptures where the top of the biceps connects at the. There are a number of different anchoring techniques that surgeons are currently using. It is attached to the bones of the shoulder and elbow by tendons strong cords of fibrous tissue that attach muscles to bones. Sonographic diagnosis of distal biceps tendon rupture. Proximal biceps tendon rupture is usually transverse and either within the shoulder joint or within the proximal part of the intertubercular groove. O 2011 journal of shoulder and elbow surgery board of trustees. Biceps tendon rupture bangalore shoulder pain reasons and. Rehabilitation guidelines for distal bicep tendon repair uw health. At the bottom distal of the muscle both heads attach to one tendon which then attaches to the radius bone of the forearm figure 1. Hook test 100% sensitive and specific, as compared to mri which is 92% and 85%, respectively patient actively supinates and flexes elbow to 90 degrees. Histological studies associated with tendon rupture repeatedly have revealed similar results. Specific changes in the program will be made by the physician as appropriate for an individual patient.
A biceps tenodesis procedure involves cutting of the long head of the biceps just prior to its insertion on the superior labrum and then anchoring the tendon along its anatomical course more distally along the humerus. It is seen that pain from the biceps rupture usually worsens at night, especially while sleeping on the affected shoulder. The risk of tendon damage is increased by the concomitant use of. The majority of these ruptures occur in the dominant extremity of. Distal repair for a biceps tendon rupture should be considered in patients that injure the bicep in their dominant arm, or active individuals. It occurs in only one to two people per 100,000 each year, and rarely in women. Biceps tendon repair rehabilitation protocol range of immobilizer therapeutic motion exercise phase i none locked in neutral worn at all gentle wrist and shoulder rom 0 3 weeks times phase ii active extension to 30 worn at all times including continue with wrist and shoulder rom. The muscle at the front of the upper arm is known as the biceps. Many tears are the result of a wearing down and fraying of the tendon that occurs slowly over time. Tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps tendon. The dma provided calculations regarding the left distal biceps tendon rupture using table 154 of the elbow regional diagnostic grid sixth edition of the a. Injuries to the muscle include tendonitis and tendon tears. The distal biceps brachii tendon is an uncommon site for tendon injury, representing 3% of all injuries of the biceps brachii tendon in the literature 1, 2. Partial tear or other coexisting pathology may complicate the diagnosis.
Biceps brachii, one of the dominant muscles of the arm, is involved in functional activities of the upper limb, both as a result of its size and its orientation about both. The biceps muscle lies on the front of the upper arm and has two heads. Fixation of acute distal biceps tendon ruptures using mitek. Proximal biceps tendon and rotator cuff tears mandeep s. Ruptures of the biceps tendon commonly occur in the tendons that connect the bicep to the shoulder blade. The biceps muscle bends the arm at the elbow and rotates the forearm so the palm of the hand faces upward. It helps you bend your elbow and rotate your forearm. Stand facing a wall about 6 inches, or 15 centimeters, away from the wall. With the forearm fully pronated, the space for the distal biceps tendon insertion and its course is 48% less than the space available with the forearm in full supination. Rupture of the distal biceps tendon in a collegiate football player. When you tear your biceps tendon, you can also damage other parts of your shoulder, such as the rotator cuff tendons.
Surgical repair of a ruptured distal biceps tendon can reliably decrease pain and improve strength compared with nonoperative management. The mean patient age was 52 years range, 3858 years. Miller1 skendzel jg, jacobson ja, carpenter je, miller bs. A history of tendinitis, overuse, or anabolic steroid abuse may predispose tendons to rupture. Biceps tendon repair rehabilitation protocol range of immobilizer therapeutic motion exercise phase i none locked in neutral worn at all gentle wrist and shoulder rom 0 3 weeks times phase ii active extension to 30 worn at all times including continue with wrist and shoulder rom, 3 6 weeks in brace exercise removed for hygiene begin active extension to 30, no. No resisted isotonic bicepintensive exercises elbow flexion or forearm supination. The pdf of the article you requested follows this cover page. The tendon is the structure that connects muscle to bone. A biceps tendon rupture is an injury that occurs to the biceps tendon attachment causing the tendon to separate from the bone. Your biceps tendons attach the biceps muscle to bones in the shoulder and in the elbow. Axial imaging is often used, providing shortaxis images of the tendon, to accurately show the anatomy and disease of the distal biceps tendon. The biceps tendon is one of the anchor points of the biceps muscle, which is important for bending the elbow and rotating the wrist.
Spontaneous rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon spontaneous complete rupture of the lhbt can occur in the presence of chronic rotator cuff tears. It is not intended to be a substitute for ones clinical decision making. The biceps muscle has two tendons that attach it to the bones of the shoulder and one tendon that attaches to the radius bone at the elbow. Association between ruptured distal biceps tendon and wild. Biceps tendon rupture is either complete or partial disruption of the tendon of the biceps brachii muscle that can occur proximally or distally. A proximal biceps tendon rupture is an injury to the biceps tendon at the shoulder joint. Tears of the distal biceps tendon occur primarily in middleaged males. However, the anatomy of the distal biceps brachii tendon makes imag. Biceps tendon rupture what is a rupture of the biceps tendon.
Pdf surgical management of acute distal biceps tendon ruptures. Injury injuries to the biceps tendon at the elbow usually occur when the elbow is forced straight against resistance. Clinically, there have been reports of distal biceps tendon ruptures attributed to steroid use 26,27. Surgical repair can be performed by a single or doubleincision technique. The biceps tendon connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder blade scapula and. The proximal biceps tendon rupture is more common than distal biceps tendon rupture.
It is most common in patients over 60 years of age and often causes minimal symptoms. Distal biceps tendon repair rehabilitation protocol michael b. What is a biceps tendon rupture and how is it fixed. Raise your injured arm out to your side and place the thumb side of your hand against the wall palm down. Singleincision distal biceps tendon repair sciencedirect. Patient will be fitted with a hinged, limited rom brace lrom preoperatively. A biceps tenotomy may be performed to remove the ruptured biceps tendon from the glenohumeral joint, and tenodesis may be avoided without significant loss of arm function. A report of 19 patients treated with anatomic reinsertion and a metaanalysis of 147 cases found in the literature. Rupture of the distal biceps tendon in a collegiate football. Pdf tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps tendon.
The most common finding a biceps tendon rupture is bicipital groove point tenderness. Distal biceps rupture, suture anchor, ossifications, tendon healing, mri. It can affect the distal tendon, or eitherboth of the proximal tendons, attached to the long and short head of the muscle, respectively. Because of this second attachment, many people can still use their biceps even after a complete tear of the long head. Surgical repair, followed by a comprehensive rehabilitation program, is indicated to regain full strength and range of motion in both flexion and supination. Bone anchors, dash score, distal biceps tendon ruptures, mitek anchors, single incision technique, surgical treatment view abstract download pdf.
When the lining becomes inflamed, the tendon cannot glide smoothly in its covering sheath. If you have any questions regarding the progress of the patient, the physician should be contacted. Preoperative ultrasound of long head of biceps brachii tendon musculoskeletal imaging original research. The estimated national incidence in the united states was 2. Pdf distal biceps tendon rupture is a relatively rare injury most commonly seen in the dominant extremity of men between 40 and 60 years of. Distal bicep tendon repair rehabilitation protocol. Injuries to the biceps tendon at the elbow usually occur when the elbow is forced straight against resistance. The weightlifter returned to near preinjury activity level.
456 773 533 823 302 734 1486 1355 860 247 1059 690 1348 1175 710 1594 1405 1066 1617 123 33 480 320 1240 841 455 1350 448 1354 676 487 1610 992 430 356 1017 985 428 303 456 189 1065 785 791 872 1389 715 741 180 450