Distal Biceps Tendon Tears

Causes

• Most commonly due to a a middle-aged man lifting a box or other heavy item with his elbows bent.
• Often the load is heavier than expected, or the load may shift unexpectedly during the lift.
• This forces the elbow to straighten, even though the biceps muscle is working hard to keep the elbow bent.
• The biceps muscle contracts extra hard to help handle the load.
• As tension on the muscle and tendon increases, the distal biceps tendon snaps or tears where it connects to the radius.
  

Symptoms

• When it occurs, it usually sounds and feels like a pop directly in front of the elbow.
• The immediate pain is intense.
• The pain often subsides quickly after a complete rupture because tension is immediately taken off the pain sensors in the tendon.
• Swelling and bruising in front of the elbow usually develop shortly after the pop.
• The biceps may appear to have balled up near the elbow forming a Popeye sign.
• The arm often feels weak with attempts to bend the elbow, lift the shoulder, or twist the forearm into supination (palm up).
  

Problem

• Weakness in elbow flexion
• Weakness in forearm supination e.g. Turning a door knob
  

Treatment

• Repair the Tendon

 

Please note that the information contained herein is for general medical information only.
If you have any specific medical condition or queries, please consult your medical doctor.

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