Forecast
After the operation, one must expect only a slight reduction in strength, especially during lifting and external rotation of the forearm. After a conservative therapy, the loss of strength is usually somewhat greater, but is compensated by other muscles and allows a normal daily routine. The duration until complete healing varies and depends on various factors.
The form of therapy, whether there was a complete or only partial rupture of the biceps tendon and the cooperation of the patient determine the duration of healing. Therefore, the therapy can take several weeks or even months. After an operative therapy, the arm must be protected for three to four weeks until it can be loaded again.
During this time, however, physiotherapy and exercises should be performed under supervision. If the arm is loaded too early, this can significantly delay the healing process. Afterwards, several weeks of build-up exercises should be expected. If no surgical therapy is necessary, the arm should still be spared for at least one week. After the rest period, physiotherapy and home exercises are very important.
Causes
The long biceps tendon usually tears as a result of wear and tear even at low loads. Often, minor traumas such as those that occur when lifting a medium-heavy object or under light load during sports are enough to cause the already damaged tendon to tear. In contrast to the other biceps tendons, the long biceps tendon runs inside the shoulder joint.
There, wear and tear can be promoted by various factors (such as tightness due to swelling, bony outgrowths, pre-existing injuries, etc.). In addition, the tendon runs along the upper arm in a bone channel in which the tendon can be “chafed”. The wear and tear is particularly pronounced in older people and (former) sportsmen and women, where the tendon is subject to heavy strain over many years (weight training, throwing sports).
On the contrary, the distal tendon usually tears due to trauma, in which the muscle is severely strained or overstretched while the arm is bent and rotated outwards and the tendon is therefore tensed. Exemplary situations are lifting or catching or pulling heavy objects or falls from great heights. Young men with strong muscles are often affected.
An increased risk of such a tear exists in strength athletes who take steroids. In a few cases a blow to the tendon or a cut is the cause. The short biceps tendon usually tears due to accidents.