Long head bicep tendon tear

[zwhit]

Anyone tear this tendon and not have it fixed?

Just left the doc and the we decided on physical therapy for 4 weeks before we commit to surgery. He says we can see if I can live with the direction it's headed and still do surgery if I don't like the function I'm getting out of it or the looks of it. It doesn't look too bad cosmetically. I could probably live with that but he says I can probably get back to over 90% function without surgery. I'm honestly leaning toward surgery at the moment without having started physical therapy because I want to train at 100%, not 90. But I've had a lot of surgeries over the years and don't look forward to another. Tore the distal tendon 8 or 9 years ago but that one is pretty much a non-option on fixing it if you're active.

I don't compete, had planned on doing a show eventually when my kids are a little older and can prep without such a busy family life but that isn't the deciding factor. Its more functionality. Doc did reference Elway and Favre tearing the same tendon and never having it fixed during their careers so that's probably the only reason I opted to try the PT first.

Anyone tear this and not have it reattached?

 

[dcdogz]

Anyone tear this tendon and not have it fixed?

Just left the doc and the we decided on physical therapy for 4 weeks before we commit to surgery. He says we can see if I can live with the direction it's headed and still do surgery if I don't like the function I'm getting out of it or the looks of it. It doesn't look too bad cosmetically. I could probably live with that but he says I can probably get back to over 90% function without surgery. I'm honestly leaning toward surgery at the moment without having started physical therapy because I want to train at 100%, not 90. But I've had a lot of surgeries over the years and don't look forward to another. Tore the distal tendon 8 or 9 years ago but that one is pretty much a non-option on fixing it if you're active.

I don't compete, had planned on doing a show eventually when my kids are a little older and can prep without such a busy family life but that isn't the deciding factor. Its more functionality. Doc did reference Elway and Favre tearing the same tendon and never having it fixed during their careers so that's probably the only reason I opted to try the PT first.

Anyone tear this and not have it reattached?

currently dealing with a distal tendon strain that ive fixed slowly. has taken almost 5 months to heal. what a bitch.
hope you find the answers youre looking for.

 

[zwhit]

currently dealing with a distal tendon strain that ive fixed slowly. has taken almost 5 months to heal. what a bitch.
hope you find the answers youre looking for.

Be careful with that distal tendon. Got a gnarly scar on the left arm where I got it reattached.

What's crazy is it all started in the labrum area and I thought I just had impingement (dealt with it before and symptoms were the same I thought) so I've been rehabbing that and working around it with my training. Soon as I snapped the proximal tendon, the shoulder was much better almost immediately. Knew it wasn't the shoulder at that point, day late and dollar short on figuring that out.

Doc said that was typical and diagnosed it without an MRI after that.

 

[dcdogz]

Be careful with that distal tendon. Got a gnarly scar on the left arm where I got it reattached.

What's crazy is it all started in the labrum area and I thought I just had impingement (dealt with it before and symptoms were the same I thought) so I've been rehabbing that and working around it with my training. Soon as I snapped the proximal tendon, the shoulder was much better almost immediately. Knew it wasn't the shoulder at that point, day late and dollar short on figuring that out.

Doc said that was typical and diagnosed it without an MRI after that.

yea started being real careful and added straps to some of my pull movements and switched some movements around.
slowly but surely has healed up, along with bpc.
not 100% in the clear but I can push it pretty good and know when to stop.
leaving some reps on the table but at least its not torn.
for awhile there I couldnt even hold too many groceries on that arm, or even lift the bed of my truck with it to close it.
super annoying.
and since i do bjj, for a good 2 months i was grappling one handed basically.

 

[Doug 64]

If it's a confirmed tear, I would recommend getting it repaired. I'm 61 and they tried to run the "you could live with it" bullshit. I was like absolutely NOT. IDK about yours but mine was misshapen and their was a noted loss of strength... obviously.
I got the surgery and did physical therapy for almost six months but almost six months but I am way better off for having it done.

 

[zwhit]

yea started being real careful and added straps to some of my pull movements and switched some movements around.
slowly but surely has healed up, along with bpc.
not 100% in the clear but I can push it pretty good and know when to stop.
leaving some reps on the table but at least its not torn.
for awhile there I couldnt even hold too many groceries on that arm, or even lift the bed of my truck with it to close it.
super annoying.
and since i do bjj, for a good 2 months i was grappling one handed basically.

Better to leave a couple reps on the table than tear it. I'm still scared to train my bis as intensely as I did before the first injury, directly anyway. It just doesn't feel as strong as it did before and it'll flare up at times. Usually no less than 15-20 reps on bicep isolation moves. Don't know how I'm gonna deal with this BS now with the other one torn in a different spot.

Good luck keeping it healthy.

 

[zwhit]

If it's a confirmed tear, I would recommend getting it repaired. I'm 61 and they tried to run the "you could live with it" bullshit. I was like absolutely NOT. IDK about yours but mine was misshapen and their was a noted loss of strength... obviously.
I got the surgery and did physical therapy for almost six months but almost six months but I am way better off for having it done.

Yea that's where I'm leaning at the moment. I've just had enough surgeries in my life so was hoping I could get away from another. We'll see I guess.

Mines not misshapen much and hardly any bruising I can see through all the tattoos, although it's only two days from the injury. The distal tendon rupture bruised in less then 24 hours. Guess I'll try PT for a week or two at least and reevaluate.

If I can't train at close to 100%, it's a definite though. It's really my only hobby that I do strictly for myself.

 

[zwhit]

Silver lining is I probably looked the best I've ever looked 6 months after the other one was torn because I got super lean and primed for growth.

Lots of cardio and legs on deck if I do opt for surgery. Was nearing being done with this current cut but looks like I'll be dieting for a while yet lol. At least until I get the surgery and start the healing process

 

[McPriimate]

My n=1 and so not generalizable, but…

I had an open shoulder repair on my left arm in my late 40’s and they detached and stapled the long head to the humerus (pretty much standard for anyone over 45). Although I was a good patient and did all the PT religiously and on schedule, I was out running one day, stubbed my toe in a pothole, my arms went out forward to catch myself and that was it. POP! And it tore right off the staple. Doc convinced me it wasn’t worth it to run under my pec and reattach to my chest (evidently the route they go after a failed tenodesis - not sure that’s still the std practice). So basically I converted a tenodesis (reattachment) to a tenotomy (tendon detachment) through a long and expensive failed surgery! Rest of my shoulder was muuuuuch better for the surgery though so was all worth it

Now I have a lump of meat down by my elbow which I can show off as my stupid human trick. As for training, if my left fails on a bicep isolation exercise at 8 reps, my right fails at like 11. Maybe lose a rep on single arm rows but not always. Otherwise I don’t notice a difference. Made no difference coming back to competitive triathlon after - still routinely podiumed and my swim times didn’t increase. It did get me to fix my damn form in the pool though

Plus, now I have an excuse for not chasing a Mr. O title (except I don’t even - but it’s easier to tell myself it’s that wonky bicep than admit to my poor genetics lol).

If you can fix it, I prolly would. But if you can’t (like me - not enough tissue to put back on the arm and the chest was largely cosmetic so I didnt) or don’t, the limitations are there but minor ime

Good luck brother!
McP


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[Meetketchup]

I would get it done ASAP. You are waiting 4 weeks regardless and I hate to say it chances are it won't heal the way you want in that time. Bite the bullet now, come back stronger and never have to worry about it again.

 

[zwhit]

My n=1 and so not generalizable, but…

I had an open shoulder repair on my left arm in my late 40’s and they detached and stapled the long head to the humerus (pretty much standard for anyone over 45). Although I was a good patient and did all the PT religiously and on schedule, I was out running one day, stubbed my toe in a pothole, my arms went out forward to catch myself and that was it. POP! And it tore right off the staple. Doc convinced me it wasn’t worth it to run under my pec and reattach to my chest (evidently the route they go after a failed tenodesis - not sure that’s still the std practice). So basically I converted a tenodesis (reattachment) to a tenotomy (tendon detachment) through a long and expensive failed surgery! Rest of my shoulder was muuuuuch better for the surgery though so was all worth it

Now I have a lump of meat down by my elbow which I can show off as my stupid human trick. As for training, if my left fails on a bicep isolation exercise at 8 reps, my right fails at like 11. Maybe lose a rep on single arm rows but not always. Otherwise I don’t notice a difference. Made no difference coming back to competitive triathlon after - still routinely podiumed and my swim times didn’t increase. It did get me to fix my damn form in the pool though

Plus, now I have an excuse for not chasing a Mr. O title (except I don’t even - but it’s easier to tell myself it’s that wonky bicep than admit to my poor genetics lol).

If you can fix it, I prolly would. But if you can’t (like me - not enough tissue to put back on the arm and the chest was largely cosmetic so I didnt) or don’t, the limitations are there but minor ime

Good luck brother!
McP


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Thanks for the info brother. What about pressing movements? Even though the biceps don't really come into play so much, seems like the suboptimal structure may diminish some strength?

 

[zwhit]

I would get it done ASAP. You are waiting 4 weeks regardless and I hate to say it chances are it won't heal the way you want in that time. Bite the bullet now, come back stronger and never have to worry about it again.

This guy says the proximal tendon is less time sensitive than the distal. Have you seen guys wait and not get back to a point they were happy with vs guys that got it fixed immediately?

 

[McPriimate]

Thanks for the info brother. What about pressing movements? Even though the biceps don't really come into play so much, seems like the suboptimal structure may diminish some strength?

Somewhat tough to distinguish from other shoulder problems with some cuff fraying and such. And I have a SLAP tear on my other side lol. The side that’s detached has some shoulder pain time to time if I’m not super attentive to form on presses, but less than the other side with the tendon still attached but frayed. Neither side loves oh presses but I can still do them with just more moderate weight and no issue. When I go heavier, they bark a bit. More on the “good” side than the detached one tho tbh

I’d still get it fixed if you have the tissue for it (sounds like you do). And then you have one level to give before you’re where I am. While it’s not terribly limiting (compared to a distal tear or a short head tear), I’d still rather have closer to normal anatomy than detached if I could choose. Just know that the catastrophic outcome isn’t so terrible.

Your call of course! Good luck no matter what, as joint pain sucks

McP


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[zwhit]

Yea I'm honestly leaning to just fix it after talking with you guys. My left delt, pec, tri, were already showing a little atrophy from working around that side. Crazy that that bicep had held up really well while working around what I thought was the shoulder. Guess that's why I ended up tearing it since I hadn't really eased up on pulling, other than direct bicep work. Should've had it looked at before now.

Got too much life left to not be 100%

 

[zwhit]

Appreciate the advice guys

 

[MindlessWork]

Appreciate the advice guys

Sucks to hear what happened and your situation it surely is fixable to live the training life again. A long head tear is a virtual cakewalk versus an Achilles tear like I had experienced last year.

 

[slingndough]

I had the same injury about 2 years ago. The big sports doc in town told me the same thing . Great news its just a biceps tear and youll get back 90 percent function. yada yada. They had zero interest in repairing the bicep. At any rate, i searched and then researched the doc i eventually chose. He completely understood wanting to fix the bicep. I also had 2 rotator cuff tears which contributed to the tendon fraying off. When he got inside (laprascopically) he told me that he reattached best he could but the tendon was so frayed that it most likely would not hold as there wasnt much to work with. We did therapy for the shoulder a nd the week it was done i went back under for a tendon transfer to the pec area. I can tell easily that its not the same as it was but nobody wlse can, you cant in a shirt, you really cant relaxed. The weird bonus size is you get a nice peak that people will comment on. (just go with it)
Long winded but my opinion is if you have a good doc, get the surgery and follow the pt plan to a t and be a little conservative in your return.
Best of luck!
Added a few pics so u can see the shape

 

[zwhit]

I had the same injury about 2 years ago. The big sports doc in town told me the same thing . Great news its just a biceps tear and youll get back 90 percent function. yada yada. They had zero interest in repairing the bicep. At any rate, i searched and then researched the doc i eventually chose. He completely understood wanting to fix the bicep. I also had 2 rotator cuff tears which contributed to the tendon fraying off. When he got inside (laprascopically) he told me that he reattached best he could but the tendon was so frayed that it most likely would not hold as there wasnt much to work with. We did therapy for the shoulder a nd the week it was done i went back under for a tendon transfer to the pec area. I can tell easily that its not the same as it was but nobody wlse can, you cant in a shirt, you really cant relaxed. The weird bonus size is you get a nice peak that people will comment on. (just go with it)
Long winded but my opinion is if you have a good doc, get the surgery and follow the pt plan to a t and be a little conservative in your return.
Best of luck!
Added a few pics so u can see the shape

Thanks for the reply. I decided to go ahead and get it fixed. Go in for MRI soon and hopefully get surgery scheduled soon after.

I've had shoulder problems for a few months too, which is better now since the bicep finally gave way. Hoping they don't find anything in the rotator cuff on the MRI but I'll make sure they look at everything beforehand. It's been a little over two weeks since the injury and I'm actually able to do a lot that I didn't think I would but haven't pushed it at all. Just trying to maintain as much as possible until surgery but feel good about the outlook if he's not able to fix everything completely, between working out and your post. So appreciate the info.

And yea, the peak is noticeably better since the injury. Only bad thing is I tore the distal tendon years ago on the left and it's peak sucks now lol

One super high peak and one falls flat smh

 

[slingndough]

lol, can't win them all..
not sure of your situation on how the injury occurred.. mine let loose from a sloppy hook boxing but as most likely on its way out. I had a tear in the suprasoinatus (I believe) which let the tendon kinda loose in the bicipital groove and it kinda sawed itself off.
If it's any consellation my repaired shoulder has better rom and function than my other shoulder that has always been a pain in the ass..

 

[zwhit]

lol, can't win them all..
not sure of your situation on how the injury occurred.. mine let loose from a sloppy hook boxing but as most likely on its way out. I had a tear in the suprasoinatus (I believe) which let the tendon kinda loose in the bicipital groove and it kinda sawed itself off.
If it's any consellation my repaired shoulder has better rom and function than my other shoulder that has always been a pain in the ass..

I was on the Hammer strength row machine when it finally gave way. Going light on all upper body movements because of the shoulder pain. The bicep really hadn't been bothering me so had modified all of my push work thinking I was letting the shoulder heal and all of a sudden I felt the bicep snap. Kinda dumb thinking back and should've had it looked at but I've healed a bum shoulder so many times by working around it until it healed I thought I'd do it again. No such luck. All good though, if everything goes as well as it sounds like yours did, I should be fine eventually.

Nothing a bunch of GH and BPC can't fix

 

[Rot-Iron66]

I tore my outer bicep head (proximal) 6 weeks ago. Just letting it heal. Looks a little funny when flexed, but arms by my side, it looks rather normal.

Funny thing was, I did one-arm rows with a 125 lb bell. 5 sets each arm. When I put the bell back into the rack, that's when it went "pop, pop"...
(After the set).

At age 60 on my next B-day, I dont really care how it looks. It feels fine doing everything (except curls, it feels a bit funny).
Ill just do those light from now on, not looking to gain any mass at this age, only maintain...


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