Whether lifting heavy objects around the house, working in the garden, playing sport or even during everyday movements – a torn biceps tendon can affect anyone. It is definitely a painful and limiting injury.
In the following, we will show you what a ruptured tendon means in detail. We also explain what treatment is advisable.
What is the biceps tendon?
The biceps tendon is a thick tendon that connects the biceps muscle in the upper arm to the bone. This muscle is responsible for the movement of the elbow joint and the shoulder joint. The tendon runs along the front of the upper arm and attaches to two points: the shoulder blade (scapula) and the radius bone in the forearm. It plays an important role in many everyday movements such as lifting, gripping and carrying objects.
What is a biceps tendon rupture?
This condition occurs when the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the bone ruptures partially or completely. The rupture can occur both in the upper part of the tendon (close to the shoulder blade) and in the lower part (close to the elbow). A partial rupture is also possible. In this case, the tendon is partially, but not completely, separated from its attachment point on the bone. This type of (partial) rupture of the biceps tendon can be caused by various factors:
Sudden overload or traumatic injury
When lifting very heavy objects or falling on the outstretched arm, the biceps muscle suddenly becomes very tense. This can cause the tendon to tear.
Repetitive strain
Continuous and repeated strain on the biceps muscle over a long period of time, as can be the case with certain sports or occupational activities, for example, can gradually weaken the tendon. This increases the risk of it tearing.
Degenerative changes
With increasing age, degenerative changes can occur in the tissue, which can also affect the biceps tendon. These make the tendon more susceptible to tears.
Pre-existing conditions
Tendon inflammation or osteoarthritis, for example, can increase the risk of a tendon rupture as they can impair its structure and strength.
Anatomical factors
In some cases, anatomical features such as a tendon structure that deviates from the norm or anomalies in the shoulder or elbow joint can increase the risk of a biceps tendon rupture.
What are the symptoms of a biceps tendon rupture?
Depending on the severity of the injury, a biceps tendon rupture can be accompanied by various symptoms:
Popping sound
There is often a distinct popping sound at the time of the injury, which is caused by the rupture of the tendon.
Pain in the upper arm or elbow
In particular, movements that strain the biceps muscle, such as bending the arm or lifting objects, can be painful if the tendon is torn.
Swelling and bruising
Swelling can also occur in the upper arm or elbow area. This is often accompanied by bruising along the tendon.
Loss of strength and limited mobility
A biceps tendon rupture can lead to a noticeable loss of strength. This is particularly noticeable when bending or lifting the arm. At the same time, the mobility of the affected arm is often restricted.
Diagnosis of a biceps tendon rupture at our practice in Frankfurt
It is crucial that you seek medical help immediately if you suspect a torn tendon. Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve your chances of recovery. Untreated tendon ruptures can cause long-term dysfunction and complications. For this reason, it is important to take the injury seriously.
At our private practice for orthopaedics and traumatology in Frankfurt, we are highly experienced in diagnosing and treating a wide range of injuries. We have state-of-the-art technology such as high-resolution ultrasound and fully digital X-ray equipment to examine your tendons in detail.
As experts in the field of sports medicine and sports injuries, we are also your ideal contact in Frankfurt.
Biceps tendon tear treatment: various options
The treatment of a biceps tendon rupture depends on the severity of your injury and your individual needs. In general, there are two approaches to treatment:
Conservative treatment of the biceps tendon tear
If you have a partial tear of the tendon, there are medical contraindications for surgery or you would like non-surgical treatment initially, conservative treatment can be used. The RICE method is helpful here:
- Rest
Temporarily restricting the movements and activities of the affected arm can help to prevent further damage and promote healing. - Ice
By cooling the affected area with ice or cool packs, you can relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling. We recommend applying ice several times a day for around 15-20 minutes. - Compression
A compression bandage or a special bandage can control the swelling and support the stability of the arm. - Elevation
Elevating the arm can also help to reduce swelling and promote the healing process.
We can also prescribe painkillers. Physiotherapy is also useful. With targeted exercises, manual techniques and other therapeutic interventions, it can help to restore the mobility of your arm and strengthen the surrounding muscles.
Surgical treatment of a torn biceps tendon
If the biceps tendon is completely torn, conservative measures are not sufficient or complications are to be expected, surgery may be necessary. During the procedure, the surgeon can repair the torn tendon or reattach it to another location.
A rehabilitation phase is important after the operation.
For partial tears of the biceps tendon or minor injuries, recovery takes around 6-12 weeks. In the case of pronounced ruptures or more severe injuries, healing can take longer. In some cases, full recovery may take 3-6 months or longer.
Biceps tendon rupture treatment: other options without surgery at our practice in Frankfurt
We can supplement your conservative treatment with other therapy options:
PRP treatment
In a PRP treatment, we take a small amount of blood from you, which we centrifuge to isolate the platelet-rich plasma. We then inject this into the injured tendon with the aim of promoting the growth of healthy tissue and accelerating healing.
Acupuncture
The small needles can help to relieve pain and promote relaxation. In certain cases, this can help to support the recovery process.
Kinesio taping
Taping can be useful as an adjunctive measure in conjunction with other therapies to relieve pain, improve arm stability and support the muscles.
Biceps tendon tear treatment in Frankfurt
A (partial) rupture of the biceps tendon is a painful and limiting injury that can have various causes. Depending on the severity of the injury and your individual needs, treatment options range from conservative approaches such as rest, physiotherapy and possibly complementary methods to surgical procedures.
It is important to seek immediate medical attention if you suspect a biceps tendon rupture so that you receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment for the best possible recovery.
We are here for you! Simply contact us!
Image sources: 489915658 © VectorMine | 535878261 © Pepermpron | 173618247 © Siam | stock.adobe.com