Signs Of A Bicep Tear
The biceps are the main muscles in the upper arm that connect between the scapula bone in the shoulder and the radius bone at the elbow. The muscle is controlled by tendons that are connected at both joints to control flexing and relaxing. When functioning correctly, the bicep aids in lifting and raising the arms in multiple directions. Sometimes, injuries can cause damage where 1 of the 3 tendons supporting the bicep is torn. In such cases, surgery for the bicep tear may be necessary to repair the damage. Weightlifters are particularly vulnerable to this injury.
What causes tears?
Most bicep tears have 2 main causes, injury or overuse. Injury can be attributed to actions such as improperly lifting a heavy object or falling on the affected arm. In most cases, a bicep tear at the elbow is because of an injury. Meanwhile, overuse occurs over time. Simply aging can be a common contributor to an overuse bicep tear injury. Likewise, repetitive motions, such as for people that swim, play sports, or even lift weights, can also increase a person’s chances of experiencing tearing in the area. Knowing the symptoms most commonly associated with this injury can alert people to when medical interventions are necessary.
1. Unexpected bruising
A prominent sign of a bicep tear is bruising at the injury site. Specifically, people that have experienced the injury may find that the bruise appears in the region of the affected tendon. As such, discoloration may be located either in the upper arm region or at the elbow.
2. Reduced range of motion
Since the tendons around the bicep direct the muscle’s ability to control movements throughout the arm, poor range of motion (ROM) is another hallmark sign of injury. In particular, people with a bicep tear may find that rotating the arm from a palm down to a palm up position is difficult or painful.
3. Pain or weakness
Any person that’s experienced an injury of any kind knows that discomfort or difficulty using the affected area are common signs of a problem. Similarly, with bicep tears, people may feel a sharp pain at the shoulder or elbow joint. Additionally, some individuals may notice the area is weak, especially in the affected joint.
Correcting bicep tears
While surgery is a solution for fixing a torn tendon, not every person with a bicep tear may require an operation. Still, bicep tenodesis, the procedure used to correct the injury, is beneficial for select candidates. In particular, people experiencing damage due to age, repetitive motion injuries, torn tissue, or a damaged rotator cuff may get the most relief from surgery.
Find relief today
Although several operating methods may be employed for a bicep tenodesis surgery, most people, including weightlifters, can expect to achieve complete rehabilitation within 20 weeks. The timeline assumes a person follows the recovery guidelines and diligently attends physical therapy (PT) appointments. Following recommended strengthening exercises and learning how to properly lift items, including weights, is critical to success after surgery.
