Treatment/therapy for biceps tendon rupture
The biceps muscle on the upper arm is divided into two tendons (long and short biceps tendon), which are anchored to the bone at different points. The long biceps tendon is more frequently affected, it passes through a bone canal and is therefore susceptible to signs of wear and tear. This is often the reason for a rupture of the biceps tendon, but traumatic ruptures or tears are also possible.
Therapy can be surgical or conservative (without surgery), depending on the severity of the injury and, for example, on age and the workload at work. The tendon can be surgically reattached to the bone. In both cases, the therapy also includes pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medication.
Suitable exercises can be found under: Exercises Torn ligaments/expanded ligamentsBoth in surgical and conservative therapy, the arm is initially immobilized in a splint or bandage, but a few days after the injury or operation, light movement exercises can be started again under the supervision of a physiotherapist. However, the arm can only be fully used again about 4 weeks after the lesion or operation, depending on the pain. The aim of physiotherapy for a biceps tendon rupture is to improve the stability and muscular security of the shoulder joint.
The mobility of the shoulder and the elbow should be secured and the muscles surrounding the joint should be strengthened. For this purpose, the patient is given a self-exercise program at the physiotherapy center, which he or she should also carry out alone at home. In addition to the active exercises, manual therapy or physical therapy (heat therapy, ultrasound therapy, massage) can be performed.
Treatment/therapy for torn rotator cuffs
The rotator cuff is responsible for securing and stabilizing the shoulder joint head in its socket. It is composed of four muscles that lie around the shoulder joint like a cuff.A rotator cuff tear is often the result of chronic wear and calcification, and one or more tendons may be affected. The lesion can lead to restricted movement and instability in the joint, and may also result in shoulder joint arthrosis.
In case of a rotator cuff tear, surgical therapy or conservative therapy can be performed. In individual cases, this depends on several factors, such as the severity of the injury, the pain of the person affected, how long ago the lesion occurred and the age of the patient. It also plays a role in how much the affected person has to use his or her arm in everyday life, at work and in leisure activities.
In both cases the strength and function of the arm should be restored and pain should be minimized. The conservative treatment of a rotator cuff tear usually includes analgesic and anti-inflammatory medication and in some cases immobilization of the arm in a splint for a few weeks. The aim of physiotherapy for rotator cuff tears is to improve the muscular security and stability of the joint in order to minimize consequential damage and support healing. It is important that the patient trains independently at home in addition to the physiotherapy, so that he/she performs the exercises learned in the therapy about 5 times a week. In addition to the active exercises, manual therapy or physical therapy ultrasound therapy, heat therapy (e.g. fango or hot roll) can be applied.