Distal Bicep Tendon Repair in New Jersey

The bicep muscle, the large muscle at the front of the upper arm, helps to maintain stability in the shoulder joint and enables the bending (flexion) and rotational movement (supination) of the forearm. The biceps is attached by tendons from the shoulder to the elbow. The tendon that connects the bicep muscle to the radius near the elbow is called the distal biceps tendon. When it becomes torn, this is known as a distal biceps tendon tear. While far less common than a proximal biceps tendon tear (which occurs at the shoulder joint), this type of injury can impact grip strength and forearm rotation as well as the overall power of the arm.

At Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey, our world-class team of orthopedic specialists takes an innovative and personalized approach to distal biceps tendon repair and has successfully helped numerous patients regain full arm strength and mobility after both partial and complete distal biceps tendon tears. If you are experiencing elbow pain, weakness, or difficulty rotating the forearm, a distal biceps tendon tear could be the underlying cause. Schedule an initial consultation at our state-of-the-art clinic today to receive a thorough evaluation and diagnosis as well as a treatment plan tailored to your specific situation and treatment goals.

Understanding Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

Distal biceps tendon ruptures have an estimated incidence of just 1.2 ruptures per 100,000 patients per year, making them relatively uncommon. This type of injury occurs primarily in the dominant arm of males over the age of 40 and is correlated with:

• Repetitive overhead movements
• Overuse
• Lifting heavy objects
• A traumatic injury, such as a fall onto an outstretched arm
• Tendinitis, rotator cuff injuries, and other shoulder and elbow conditions

• Smoking

Without repair, a complete distal biceps tendon tear (one that has torn the tendon completely away from the bone) will result in an average loss of 40% supination strength and 30% flexion strength. It will not regrow or reattach to the forearm bone on its own, meaning that surgical repair often offers the most promising path towards regaining your strength.

Signs Of A Torn Bicep

Every distal biceps tendon tear presents slightly differently, but common signs and symptoms of the condition include the following:

• A popping sound or sensation near the elbow
• Weakness when flexing the arm or rotating the forearm
• Bruising and/or swelling near the elbow
• A bulge in the upper arm and/or a gap near the elbow
• Pain in the affected area that is severe initially but subsides over time

After taking a thorough medical history and asking you about your mechanism of injury, one of our skilled and experienced doctors will perform an in-depth physical examination of the affected arm. An MRI or other imaging tests may also be ordered to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the injury and rule out other potential causes of your symptoms.

Once a diagnosis of a torn distal biceps tendon has been confirmed, your doctor will develop an individualized treatment plan to put you on the quickest road to recovery. If the tear is incomplete (the distal biceps tendon is still partially connected to the bone), conservative treatment options such as rest, activity modification, pain management, and physical therapy may be recommended. Surgical repair is typically the standard of care in cases where a complete tear has occurred and the patient hopes to regain full strength and range of motion. Surgery may also be considered in cases where a partial tear is severe and/or unresponsive to a non-surgical treatment approach.

How To Prepare For Surgery

Our leading team of doctors will provide you with detailed instructions leading up to and following your distal biceps tendon repair surgery. Depending on the situation, preparation for this type of surgery may involve:

• Undergoing blood work or other tests to ensure the procedure will be safe for you
• Discussing any allergies and disclosing all medications you are currently taking
• Pausing blood thinner medications for a designated period of time prior to surgery
• Fasting before surgery
• Arranging for a family member or friend to drive you home and support you immediately following surgery

At Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey, our team is always available to respond to any specific questions you may have as you prepare to undergo a surgical procedure at our clinic.

How The Procedure Works

The purpose of distal biceps tendon repair surgery is to reattach the ruptured or damaged distal biceps tendon to the radius bone—specifically, a small bump on the radius bone near the elbow known as the radial tuberosity. This is achieved by:

• Making a small incision to locate the torn or ruptured end of the tendon
• Removing damaged or unhealthy parts of the tendon
• Placing a small metal implant known as an anchor or button into the radius bone
• Using strong sutures to reattach the tendon to the anchor
• Closing and dressing the incision

Post-Operation Care And Recovery

Immediately following surgery, your arm will be immobilized and you’ll be required to rest and ice it for several days. After this, you’ll begin physical therapy and other range of motion exercises and should be able to resume most normal daily activities within approximately 1-2 months. It will likely take closer to 6-8 months before you’ll make a full return to high-performance athletics. Your Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey doctor will carefully monitor your progress at every stage of recovery and advise you when your bicep is ready to take on more strenuous activities.

Potential Risks And Complications

Distal biceps tendon repair is considered a safe and highly effective surgical procedure. As with any surgery, however, there is always the potential for risks and complications, which can include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Nerve or vessel damage
• Allergic reactions
• Tendon repair failure

To learn more about potential risks and complications based on the specifics of your case, contact Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey today to book an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you to our state-of-the-art clinic and helping you move forward in life with renewed strength and mobility!