Treatment of Distal Biceps Rupture

I suffered distal biceps rupture approximately four months ago. I've been rehabbing the injury with little progress. Should I continue with rehab? Is it too late to have surgery?

Dr. Nikhil N. Verma:

First, a little background on your injury for our readers. A distal biceps rupture is a condition in which the tendon attaching the biceps muscle to the elbow has been torn from the bone. Most biceps injuries occur at the shoulder; therefore a distal biceps rupture is rare, constituting only three percent of all biceps tendon tears.

The injury typically occurs when middle aged men attempt to lift too much weight with their elbows bent. The heavier than expected load causes the elbow to straighten even though the biceps muscle is working to keep the elbow bent. The extra tension on the muscle and tendon causes the distal biceps tendon to tear from the radius.

Treatment Options:

In general, the preferred treatment for distal biceps rupture is surgical because nonoperative treatment results in loss of strength and function. It is still possible to repair the biceps four months after injury, but this procedure may require the use of a separate tendon graft to help make up any loss of tendon length due to retraction. I would suggest that you see an upper extremity orthopaedic surgeon for a consultation as soon as possible.

For more information about Dr. Verma and the Sports Medicine physicians of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, call 877 MD BONES or contact us through this Web site.

This information is not intended as a substitute for the professional advice of your physician, nor to be a complete description of every aspect of a condition, nor a complete list of possible side effects of any medication. Decisions concerning your treatment should be based on your own health care provider's evaluation of your personal health history and current condition. Consult your physician before following any of the suggestions on this Web site. All articles on this Web site represent the personal opinions of the individual authors and should not be construed as official policy of Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.