Bicep tendon damage

[Hereward]

Damaged my right bicep tendon (distal - elbow end) about 8 weeks ago, using a heavy EZ curl bar. Have laid off any form of direct bicep work since then but it's not really getting any better.

I know tendons take a while to fix themselves but should I be noticing more of an improvement by now? It's an odd injury; it hurts with specific movements such as turning a key or washing my hair, but no pain at all bench-pressing 100kg.

Anyone been through this? Thanks. Surgery? The thought of total upper body rest for 6 months fills me with dread...

[silversurfer1]

I completely ruptured my bicep tendon (boxing) and now have a slightly shorter bicep in one arm this was over 10 years ago and im pretty much unaffected by it I often train in a vest type top and no one has ever noticed it unless I point it out.

I turned up twice to have it repaired the second time it was a different surgeon than who I had seen for my consultation, the second guy said other than the aesthetics if he repaired it id not benefit that much from the repair as I still had good all round strength so I got out of there as quick as possible as the first guy couldn't wait to cut me open.

The only action I am a little weaker in on that arm is turning of the wrist like using a screwdriver dumbbell curls my strength is identical.

I don't regret not having it done get yourself scanned and see what the situation is

edited to add if its a total rupture you have a time frame before that tendon is not able to be re attached and they have to graft one from somewhere else

good luck

ss

Edited by silversurfer1 on Thursday 18th February 14:34

[chris watton]

I 'think' I had the same when I hadn't long started weight training - did the usual noob trick of trying to curl too much.

It did take a few months to completely heal (almost 3, IIRC). I too could Bench Press and do reverse grip pull downs (in lieu of standard curls), but I couldn't even pick up our sausage dogs, the pain was too much! Just had to work around the injury until it went, which seemed like an age.

Edited by chris watton on Thursday 18th February 15:28

[popeyewhite]

Hereward said:

Damaged my right bicep tendon (distal - elbow end) about 8 weeks ago,

Doctor - physio - remedial high-rep exercises and stretching. About a year before you're as strong as pre-injury (depending how bad the actual injury is as you've not said). Surgery probably not required .

[Hereward]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

Sorry, I neglected to say I visited a physio who diagnosed it as a "small tear".
I wasn't terribly impressed with him so didn't go back.

Good to hear that you have all recovered. I think I am going to arrange a referral to a specialist.

[silversurfer1]

Funny you should say that the physio i saw first said the tendon was fully intact, surgeon took one look and said total rupture was confirmed on scan.

ss

[smashy]

Google shockwave therapy not cheap completely cured my two achilles tendinopothy which had plagued me for a few years ,the physio who did it said no reason it wouldnt work on Biceps tendon you need 3 sessions over 3 weeks and its £200 a time mind

[craig1912]

Same as silversurfer- whilst waiting for a shoulder op I finished mine off with a complete rupture- My previous MRI had shown damage but on the day of my op the specialist could tell it had ruptured just by looking and moving my arm. He said he could have repaired it but not really worth it as no real benefit. My bicep is now slightly shorter but unless I mention it nobody can tell. Doesn't affect my day to day life although possibly slightly weaker than it was.

[M400 NBL]

I injured my bicep tendon during an armwrestling competition. It took almost 2 years to fully heal (at end of last year).

It was the wrist pronation movement (google pronation vs supination because it is easier than me trying to explain) that absolutely killed and my movement in this direction was restricted for much of the 2 years.

As someone said above, high reps low weight or no weight is better than doing no exercise on the injured arm. Blood flow will speed up recovery.

You shouldn't need surgery but you'll need to be patient.

Good luck.