Treatment options for injury of the long head of biceps at the shoulder
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 19 มิ.ย. 2016
- One of the challenges with many bone and joint injuries is deciding between surgery and nonsurgical treatment. Often that decision is based largely by how active the patient is and what activities he or she is trying to get back to. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I discuss how a patient’s activity level could impact the treatment decision for a common shoulder injury.
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Sam asks:
I recently (7 days ago) tore the long head tendon of my bicep. I am a very active and competitive 52-year-old male. I saw a PA for a reputable surgeon in the area. He evaluated me and stated that surgery would not be recommended. He said that only one of the surgeons in their practice performs the re-attachment and that the tendon will re-attach itself at the humerus in time at a lower area than the shoulder where it tore. He stated that I should see 100% recovery without surgical intervention. I have had no pain but some cramping. He also said that should diminish over time. Should I be consulting with someone about potential surgery?
Injuries to the long head of the biceps tendon at the shoulder can be treated nonoperatively in older or less active patients. A bulge in the biceps muscle can persist over time. The patient might have some weakness, but for the most part they do well. More active people often undergo surgery to reattach the biceps tendon - a biceps tenodesis. In this video, I explain the different options.
Please remember, while I appreciate your questions, I cannot and will not offer specific medical advice by email, online, on my show, or in the comments at the end of these posts. My responses are meant to provide general medical information and education. Please consult your physician or health care provider for your specific medical concerns.
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If you have questions about the injuries or treatments mentioned in this video, or about a sports or exercise injury, subscribe to my channel and click the bell to be notified of my Better Than Ever LIVE! streams, including an Ask Dr. Geier live show I do most Fridays at 12:00 PM ET.
Doc I just had my long head reattached. I’m a competitive powerlifter, and I’m trying to avoid pt. I’m doing a lot of static holds with a bamboo bar for maximal contraction of the soft tissue, also light internal and external rotation with bands for general health in the area. Range of motion isn’t very bad even for being 3 weeks after the surgery. Is there anything else you’d recommend or am I doing everything the right way? If you don’t know what a bamboo bar (earth quake bar) you can find it on TH-cam to demonstrate. Thanks!
Hey doc i have pain in my shoulder for the past 2 years um a male 32 yrs old and i can't seem to get past my shoulder pain I'm a weightlifter hurt myself on the pec deck im not sure if i have rotator cuff or short head tendon tear because i can't seem to flex my arm as tight as the non injured arm ive been to the doctor and they wont send me for the mri they told me to keep lifting weights as per usual and try to get the blood into the tendon to heal its self only problem is i don't know if its rotator cuff or short head tendon i have pain on the inside of my shoulder by collar bone with some crunching and popping noises sometimes when i make certain movements any suggestions?
@@codysiverly6010 cody when you hurt your arm did you lose strength im not sure if i hqve torn long head or short head because say if im doing 40lb dumb bell curl i can do say 15-20 on the non injured and i can barely get to 10 on the injured side my shoulder makes a popping sound like bones rubbing and its painful but not so painful that i cant lift the weight just noticable strength difference and when i flex i cant make the injured arms muscle as tight as the non injured. Its frustrating to say the least
MVRDA MONXY that’s exactly what I felt. I had actually torn both long heads and I’m finally recovered from both surgeries. STAY AWAY from flat barbell presses lol!!! Inclines are the way to go!!. More chest activation etc. but yea curls never bothered me. No even heavy deadlifts. I could pull 600 and not even feel a slight bit of pain in the shoulders. But any flat presses would sound like bones rubbing together, and my strength dropped only because the discomfort. I shouldn’t say don’t flat bench, but if you do make sure it’s a strong tuck and you mainly use the triceps and lats!!!. You can keep the elbows slightly flared with incline movements and it will feel much better. I know it sounds crazy because the incline is a strong delt movement, but it’s just so much easier on the soft tissue.
MVRDA MONXY now chances are with an mri, they will have trouble seeing the long head of the bicep. They couldn’t see my tears and had to scope it just to see that they were completely shredded up along with having a ton of bone spurs.
At the age of 62 I tore my bicep at shoulder and choose not to repaired it. I have full function and 80% strength I’m in the gym doing aerobics 3-5 times a week. No repair, no problem.
significantly younger than you but this is what I need to hear. Just suffered the injury yesterday Keep up the good work!
I tore my shoulder tendon a few months ago and have regained almost full motion, except I cant raise my arm behind my back. Did you experience that? Also, are ,if ting weights at the gym?
Thanks for your comment. I'm 66 and lift weights. Tore mine at the left side 3 years ago and had surgery. Just tore the right side now and am contemplating no surgery. I've heard you can have 70% strength without the surgery and 90% with it. I'm thinking of not getting this one repaired.
I am an active 70 y/o and recently tore my LHB tendon lifting weights for my shoulders and actually heard a tear like ripping cloth. As a former PA in orthopedic surgery I had some idea what the options were for what it was. I didn't have the bulging right away. I let it rest for a week and went back to light lifting. A few days later I developed the bulge and some bruising.
Had very little pain with it at 3 weeks and finally got in to see the surgeon who did not recommend surgery. Currently I am a dentist and you always want to fix something that is broke but I knew surgery really wasn't needed. I had surgery on my other shoulder for dislocations from football and wearing a sling for 6 weeks is not fun. Has been 6 weeks now and can curl as much as I did before and fortunately no cramping. Have a little tenderness under my AC joint but getting better. Always get an MRI because you can have additional problems like rotator cuff or a labrum tear which could require surgery
I torn mine about 4 month ago I heard a laud pop. Didn't even know I tore it untill 2 weeks later I notice it looking at the mirror. I never have stoped lifting weights, it doesn't bother me. I still lift the same weight then before , 4 days a week. I have that popeye eye protrusions but no pain lifting weights. I am 57 years old, as of now I don't have any plans of stoping being active.
I tore my long head bicep about 2 months ago . I only recently seen a surgeon who tried to talk me out of a surgical repair . But I insisted that I should have it . The surgery should be coming up soon .
Golfgtiguy .. it will take some time be prepared.. I tore my labrum and they told me they would have to snip some of the bicep tendon because it was to strong.. that was 5 months ago..i can say I’m starting to feel better and have returned to the gym.. curls not a issue.. bench press is out for now.. visually that arm is smaller than the other and it’s noticeable because my arms are a decent size.. in my experience it will take sufficient time so don’t be surprised.. but you get stuck because you think of the pain you were/are in.. determination will be the magic pill you must take on a daily basis 💪
@@grobinson26 hey man about 4 month out from labrum repair and bicep reattachment. You should be about a year and a half out, how you feeling bro ?
I tore my long head biceps at the shoulder in 2016. I am now 51 and still enjoy working out and training in jiu-jitsu. This injury has been a real challenge for me. The strength loss and cramping have been a big problem for me and haven't improved over the last 4 years. No surgeon will touch me. I'd go under the knife for just a 10% increase in strength and no more cramping.
Very active in jiujitsu as well. I may have a partial tear in my bicep. Did you have a complete tear causing deformity, a rolled up bicep? I’m concerned I won’t be able to train as frequent as I want. Hope you’re fully recovered and the cramps aren’t too bad!
@@stevenblancaver Hey Steven. The long head bicep tear can't be repaired unfortunately. I had my rotator cuff and slap tear surgery last month and it went pretty good. I have to wait 3 months for the anchors to heal before I can train again. My surgery was 5 weeks ago and I feel really good. I hope this helps. Best of luck!
@@robholland9781 I have chronic biceps lonh head rupture from shoulder years ago can I re-attach it by surgery ?
@@moebiceps7905 Hi Moe. I'm obviously not a doctor but I've dealt with this injury for years and I've seen several surgeons for it. I was told that, like in this video, that the long head can be reattached. But most docs say it's mostly cosmetic. My recent surgery just repaired my rotator cuff and I'm recovering really well, but I still notice spasms in the bicep. I wish I had better info for you. I honestly find it hard to believe that it can't be reattached with modern medical technology, but I couldn't find a doc that would do it from Delaware to Florida
@@robholland9781 thank you rob but whats the problem with the doctor if I want it to be reattached its my arm even if he is saying its cosmetic surgery and I have lost my strength and end by having popeye deformity in my right biceps 😔
The last season that Bret Favre played for the Minnesota Vikings his right long head popped 3 weeks before the start of the season. He then threw for 4000 yards that year.
Thomas Strand when my left arm popped the doc I saw told me the same story.
At the age of 70 I was still an active budybuilder and tore the longhead attachment of my right arm while exercising. Sometime late I also tore the left. I declined surgery on either as the recovery time was excessive for one my age. I subsequently stopped competeing due to the cosmetic affect on my biceps. I now have some 70-80% of my former strength in bot biceps but cope with it. I still have shoulder stiffness and some pain but I am not sure that is the cause or if there isadditional damage. Either way, at 77 years I doubt surgery is worth the recovery.
Well said, exactly the information I was looking for
I was a professional MMA fighter and I tore my bicep tendon like mentioned here on my left arm and had no surgery. I feel like I lost a small amount of strength like 5 to 10% but now I tore my right one the same way and it feels nothing like the left arm did not as much discomfort but I am choosing the no surgery route again and just lifting light and staying active. I am one of those guys that if I'm not in real pain broken or bleeding I don't see the doctor. In my opinion it will be fine like the other arm ended up being so I will go with what works. Good luck fellas.
steve reyna I tore my longhead tendon a week and a half ago, got the popeye biceps (wich i noticed 2 days later) went to hospital and they wont do surgery !?? wtf. This monday i need to make ECHO and MRI, to see if i tore nothing more in my shoulder (hurts like hell) On tuesday i see the chirugic again to discuss the outcome. Its really fucked up man, 1 sec and my arm is destroyed by lifting a weight. They say you can sport with it again but first physio....i dont know if i still trust that arm, but it might be fine maybe. So ill ask the very very best option for me when i meet the doctor again. Operation is only for cosmetic looks is something i hear too, and the recovery is very very long wich can be dangerous for my job, i have a serious job and they cant miss me...but my body is imprtant too. i will see how it went this week.😉
Im exacly the same lol, and thats the best way to deal with it surgery will always make you weaker then before, healing and then training again light till its fixed is always the best way imo
heard a pop throwing a left hook on the heavy bag today...visually can see the torn biceps tendon at the shoulder area...how long before you got your arm back to doing normal stuff? Thanks
I have chronic biceps lonh head rupture from shoulder years ago can I re-attach it by surgery ?
@@RickW0071 hey mate I’ve done the same, how long did it take you to heal also my specialist has said not to have surgery… I’m just worried i will have a deformed bicep if i don’t have surgery.
Im 19, tore my long head, not sure if its a full or partial rapture. Anyways, after about 2 months of rest i slowly got back to training. No pain, my strength is feeling the same i think. Im still recovering, i try to do it slowly. Btw im a competitive athlete, so the exercises i do are very difficult
Had mine done and my rotator cuff. Feels great 👍
I haven't ruptured my LHBT but have subluxation of the out of the bicipital groove due to instability after "Ream and Run" shoulder arthroplasty. R&R is basically a total shoulder with a new humeral implant but no glenoid component, they just reamed out my natural glenoid to encourage growth of new fibrocartilege. This required complete separation of my subscapulis and reattachment via sutures to the top of the humerus just below the new prosthetic, so the first 12 weeks required no inward or outward rotation, only stretching in the forward plane. The prosthetic and glenoid seem fine at 14 months post-op but I still have weakness in the subscap and the LHBT instability is really limiting my progress. I am looking for any exercises I can add to my PT routines to stabilize the LHBT and get that thing to stay put when I'm doing overhead stretches, abduction, external rotation, etc. FWIW I'm a 53 yr old very active male and up until a couple years ago was surfing almost daily. I went with R&R rather than TSA so that I can return to surfing with no worry about glenoid implant failure. At this point I can paddle a surfboard somewhat but have great difficulty getting my arm up out of the water to bring it forward for the next stroke.
Had a rupture of the long head tendon 14 years ago. Once it completely tore the shoulder pain was gone! I have had no pain for 14 years in my right shoulder (wear the rupture occurred) since the separation. I am currently suffering the same type of pain in my left shoulder. I am a very active 73 year old male yoga instructor and weight lifter. I recently had an MRI that showed no tears but tendinitis in suprspinatus, infraspinatus, long head tendon of the bicep and arthritis. I am convinced that if the long head tendon was severed and the tension on my shoulder was diminished I would not have the pain I am experiencing. I will be seeing an orthopedic surgeon to discuss next week.
I got injured 3 weeks ago. Im 17 very active. The doctor recommended physiotherapy. Would I be able to t tain again after I get healed? Sorry for my bad English.
59 year old male been light weight training since teenager.I am hairstylist work 10 hours a day ! Have had pain In terrible range of motion the last few years! Two weeks ago while doing band exercises and stretches it popped and roll down to my elbow! Had surgery three
days ago I feel like I-made the biggest mistake of my life it is so painfull!!!!
Thank you for your follow through. Seeing a orthopedic surgeon today for a consult. Best Wishes!
I've been dealing with shoulder pain for years now and I'm getting more restricted motion. MRI showed no tear in the rotator cuff or the long head bicep tendon. However, it shows a small amount of T2 bright fluid circumferentially about the biceps long head tendon. What would cause this? I also have a spur which keeps popping on the tendon. Your thoughts for treatment?
Thanks
Doc, I had a partial replacement. Meaning the humeral head was replaced . No plastic synthetic cartilage piece was placed in the glenoid. This was done 2 1/2 years ago. I am in more pain now, than I ever was. I get I’m assuming referred pain in the actual bicep muscle. I think it’s because the bicep tendon in the groove it runs through is not sitting in the groove the right way abs it’s pinched constantly. If I do lateral raises in the gym it hurts for days, even with very light wait. Sleeping is a nightmare , hurts all the time. I’m have a CT scan tomorrow because an MRI wont work because of the metal and titanium implant. Is their some type of surgery that can be done to stop this pain?? I thought maybe it was the supraspinatus, but I’m thinking it’s not. Will a CT scan be able to tell me ?
I had surgery for the rught arm( lower bicept rupture). Big scars on my forearm and inside the lower bicept near the elbow. I fell off a ladder painting yesterday and retore the right arm a little. The left arm now has the upper tendon torn loose in the shoulder. 66 years old consudering my options. I'm too actuve to convaless for 2 + months after surgery. The surgery i had on my right arm 2 years ago went well but has now torn again although not near as bad. I think i will let nature take its course. Maybe
Thanks for this video. I'm 66 years old and lift weights regularly - even have considered competing. 3 years ago I tore my left proximal biceps tendon and had surgery. It took 3 months of recovery, but I did recover fully and have achieved my heaviest lifts since that surgery.
I've also very recently torn the right proximal biceps tendon. I'm contemplating whether or not to have surgery. Dr Geier seems to suggest that surgery might not be necessary because "the tendon will reattach itself at a lower area on the shoulder than where it tore." Can it reattach itself? I'd definitely prefer to not go through surgery again.
Hi doctor David,
so I have ruptured my long head it has been torn.
I’ve been told by the specialist that i could have surgery but it would be better of i left it and had Physiotherapy.
My question is if i leave it will my bicep be small than it was over time? Will it look deformed.?
Thanks in advance.
I tore my bicept at shoulder and partial rotator cuff tear on the job in Dec 2017 and they still haven't done anything and I'm in pain everyday. I am 64yr old female and gardening and driving or carrying groceries or taking the dogs for walks on leash still hurt. They straight out told me that if I was in my 20's or 30's they might do surgery but I'm old. HELLO I know people in their 80's who split firewood
I have chronic biceps lonh head rupture from shoulder years ago can I re-attach it by surgery ?
@@moebiceps7905 yes they should be able too, it’s called a bicep tenodesis
I was a really bad car accident and I have three tears in my left hand and what your talking about it I have it and I will see what my doctor wants to do on Monday!
Hi doctor, I have the same problem and the doctors said we can fix your pain but the cosmetic deformity remains exist. So my question is, is there any way to fix Poppy muscles along with the natural look of biceps.?
Can someone please tell me what physio they have been given. I have mild long head bicep tenosynovitis and I’ve been told no weight like push ups. I’ve been given exercises to hold 1-1.5kg in my palm elbow at waist palm facing up 90 degrees. I just don’t understand why weight bearing down (like using hands to get off the floor) is restricted for this injury. Anyone have any idea?
OK I had shoulder labrum and rotator cuff repair. Now 3 years later my bicep well hurt bad . Is this a problem to worry about
I have proximal bicep long head tear,40-50% tear.Surgeon is trying conservative way,any opinion
I'm 58 yrs old semi active I'm not sure exactly how I hurt my bicep 1 could have done it putting a halter on my horse or it could have happened reaching into the back seat for my purse I've seen comments that in "older" patients a surgical repair wasn't recommended , I'm wondering if it's because of our age or is it due to something else like we dont need the use of that particular muscle as much as a younger more active patient
I am a 79 year old male weight training for 40 years and just had the long head surgically repaired 5 weeks ago and feel great.
How is it now?
I have chronic biceps lonh head rupture from shoulder years ago can I re-attach it by surgery ?
What did you think if your surgeon? Who was it? Cant find anyone that is willing to do it
@@afeb2010 I had a great surgeon in Arizona and the arm is fine and at full strength.
@@bach1958 hey Tony thanks for reaching back out. Unfortunately in my area most of the surgeons are more experienced, weirdly, with the distal biceps tendon repairs at the elbow. I’d be willing to travel anywhere to get this done with a surgeon who I know for certain has helped someone recover fully. I thought I could accomplish this by looking for reviews online. Unfortunately, it’s sad to see that a lot of the facilities, the surgical facilities or business entities that the surgeons are a part of hire people out or other companies to falsify reviews which in turn makes me really uneasy. I thought I’d reach out to you because it seems very unlikely to me that you would have some sort of goal of promoting your surgeon like the fake reviews online. I’d really like to make a full recovery as you did. What surgeon did you end up selecting when you were in my position? Please help. I’m 24 and trying to return to sports :/
i have a bicep tear and shoulder peck tear and im goin on a year i am back working out but it still hurts alot time to time but i do be careful with lifting now i go very light and more repps im just curious how long could it be untill im 100 pct fully recovered
I'm waiting to have a sub pectoral tenodesis & sub acromial decompression. Have tried all non surgical options with no long lasting benefits.
I’m Hemipelagic on my right side and I have a long head bicep tear on my left. I’m doing PT Two days/week and it’s not getting better. I have been dealing with this since October last year. Any Solutions?
I tore my long head tendon a month ago , my mri and X-rays show a proximal tear.. my ortho dr said I don’t need surgery , my quest is how long till I can lift weights??
I hurt mine benching a month ago and it still hurts. When I wash my hands with pal.s facing together it hurts my shoulder. I dislocated my shoulder 5 years ago and I think its partially from that. My shoulder was never normal after my elbow dislocation
hi doctor, this is gupta from Nepal. i had my left knee acl surgery 3 month ago. now i am getting rehabilitation. during my acl recovery now i feel some strange in my body. 1. My all body joints are cracking and making sound. 2. my left part of body (left part) muscles getting weak than other. 3. my left part of body from head to leg it's feel weak than other. (when i touch something it feels left's feeling is weak than right.
can you explain why these things are happening to me ?
i am looking forward,
gupta-nepal
now-south korea
I have a injury on my shoulder is well.Long story any at home remedies suggestions
I tore my biceps from shoulder 3 years ago can I still re attach it ?
I tore my shoulder tendon, over time I could not lift my arm up past my over my head without grinding and pain, I just had my tendon reattached, I will keep you posted
I have chronic biceps tear and none of the doctors want to re attach it
Thomas Lorsung, How have you been doing?
Can you give an update please?
I am 3 weeks out from surgery for my left proximal biceps tendon. I elected to have the surgery. I am 60 yrs old very active and usually visit the gym 4-5times a week and have done so since my 18th birthday. I have also had 2 previous tendon repairs. A right distal biceps tendon about 10 years ago (good outcome) and a repair to a hole or split in my left distal triceps tendon exactly one year ago (to the day) of this last surgery. I actually considered not having the surgery due to my experience with the long recovery time and coping with the atrophy of the left arm due to the triceps surgery. Clearly I need to reevaluate my fitness goals on the other side of this recovery, however I'm simply not willing to give up working out all together as it has been a life long habit whose benefits have greatly outweighed these injuries. I am wondering if there is any advise available for working out these surgically repaired limbs once they are properly rehabilitated through Physical Therapy etc... Pain is not a good guide with these type of injuries. It is worth mentioning that none of my injuries occurred in the gym.
How did it go?
I tore my longhead of biceps(proximal-end) .. Doctors says that its just a partial rupture.. but I feel very uncomfortable .. ithink i need a surgery ASAP..😐😪
@@vinayakvijayan5805 I had a slap repair, I had a torn labrum and a slightly tore bicep that caused me pain. They might would snip the bicep below where the tear was located and reattach it to your humorous as they did mine
@@griffindemers6988 after that could u lift weight again..?
I was diagnosed five months ago with partial tears in the teres minor as well as the lateral head of the tricep after a fall, and the doctor took the conservative approach and recommended physical therapy. I’d been recovering well, regaining strength and range of motion, particularly the past month. However, I still sporadically get this shooting and searing pain that runs from the top of the shoulder down to the middle of my tricep- how often is there radial nerve compression involved with such an injury, and how often does that get overlooked by physicians when there is a more obvious tear / injury? I work as a carpenter so I do a lot of overhead work that requires torque so I’d love to find a way to address that pain and it doesn’t seem to be fixed by physical therapy alone.
hi there, how are you doing now? hope you're better
My long head bicep detached from shoulder, non dominant arm while using a hoe. I am age 59 female, personal trainer/group exercise instructor. Surgeon did not recommend surgery. He used the phrase "people like you" even used the football explanation. Should I seek 2nd opinion?
I had proximal bicep surgery six months ago and thank God I did it cosmetically looks a lot better and I have a lot of strength just like before
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I just had an MRI done. Long Head bicep tendon is torn and retracted. I am investigating solutions.
Good luck. Please share your treatment experience when you recover.
I had a shoulder displacement last November that tore the short and long head of the bicep. I'm 38 with a 3 yr old. I've gutted it out for a year but am getting on the Calan er for repair I can barely toss a ball with my kid and opening door knobs causes sharp pain in my shoulder. I am curious how long the recovery process is typically.
6 months minimum
Thanks for all comments. Tore mine 4 days ago. I'm 56, active, doctor recommended no surgery. Going that route and will take it slow. Doc said listen to my body.
Thanks for sharing! Good luck!
After 3 + years of aching pain that got progressively worse - frayed right proximal long head tendon ruptured three weeks ago. Immediate pain relief and better range of motion.
Active 56 yrs old and after injury and visit to orthopedic surgeon for a consultation, they did not recommend surgery and in fact said if pain still existed without rupture they would recommend surgery to cut and release. So injury saved me an operation. I believe that’s what Brett Favre chose in order to extend his career
Same here, how long it took you to recover without surgery and get back to the gym?
I had my injury on 2 weeks ago and wake up at night with cramping . How long until the cramping stops ?
I still have cramping, like a charly horse. I'm almost 8 weeks post op.
I’m mid-60s. I have worked out daily for decades. This also includes weight training 3 times per week. Late April, 2022 I lifted a crate at work. I first felt a pop followed by a shredding feeling. I had no idea what it was? There never was any bruising. But lots of pain about a week later doing tasks like pulling the blanket up at night. In June while visiting my doctor I asked about the indentation in my upper arm. I was told I tore the bicep. Since I had waited so long surgery was not an option.
I’d really like to get this corrected. But I guess time is against me.
im 55 same situation. it is possible they can locate and re-attach the biceps tendon to the humeral head...
hi, how are you doing as far as pain goes? good luck btw
I’m not having pain. But I notice my arm seems weaker then before. Definitely weaker then the other arm.
Just had Rotator Cuff Tendon and Bicep Tendon Repair, i am 64 and very Active, I box Fitness and Strength training, and do many Activities such as Kite Boarding that require strength and being able to use my arms overhead. It has been six days, The pain is getting less already and Pain killers are not really needed. I had 7 incisions in total and all were closed with Staples, the Bicep tendon used 9 staples to reattach. Doing some light stretching now, will see how it goes.
@Maverick DQ Yes, I think I am ahead of where I am supposed to be, however my Life style and work requires a quick recovery, I am at 10 weeks now, I can do pullups again, only a couple, I did transition to this over the past two weeks. I might be the Anomaly, as I had the same surgery, minus the Bicep Tendon reattachment on my other shoulder, a few years ago and I only got decent recovery gains, when I began using weights at 6 weeks, I did not go crazy, but I recovered much quicker than when I was just doing Phisio. Thank You kindly for the advice, I do hope your recovery goes well. Cheers
@Maverick DQ is it really worth it if the recovery is that long? I'm supposed to have it next week. I can do a lot now just painful some days
I had a long head shoulder tear. Now I seem to still have my arm strength but the shooting pain particularly at night waking me up 2 or 3 times each night. Should I make due with PT or consider surgery to get relief?
I had my long head bicep tendon tear at the shoulder April 8 playing raquetball pretty active 61 going to see surgeon and see what's up having it reattach definitely popeye syndrome who wants that aside from the lost of strength iam wanting the surgery will see,what have you decided with your situation...
I tore the the proximal long portion of my bicep a few weeks ago, MRI showed complete tear of tendon from shoulder with arthritis and a bone spur in the right shoulder, Doctor advised that they don't usually repair that type for injury and only did so for cosmetic reason's. I'm a retired Paramedic age 55 and worked 2 jobs most of my life welding and steel construction so I guess that I have just worn tendons from years of abuse to my body. I now have major pain in my right shoulder when trying to lace a belt through the back loops of my jeans or trying to scratch my back with my right arm so I'm thinking I wished that I would have had the surgery so they could have removed the bone spur which I believe is rubbing on the the remaining tendons in my right shoulder, if any of you are having the same issue please comment and let me know what you did for the pain.
See my post above. Similar symptoms as yours - straighting arm supination with palms up and quickly turning palms up and down is the give away. I'd say give it some time. The bone spur thing is a wild card. But if you have arthrapothy, the LHB Tear is the least of your issues. if you have to do an rTSA I suppose bone spurs can be addressed
I felt a sharp pain and had bruising on the bicep after digging a volleyball. My muscle is still attached but the other symptoms (including supination causing pain) and the brusing all suggest a bicep tendon injury. I can't figure out what the best protocol would be.
That sounds like what happened to me a few months ago. I was just doing housework when it felt like my shoulder exploded with a sudden sharp pain, the bruising over the muscle, etc. MRI showed a full thickness tear of the long head of the bicep. The short head was still intact. Orthopedic doc gave me a prescription for an anti inflammatory med and sent me to physical therapy. I had 12 PT sessions and got most of my strength back. I have quite a bit of other previous shoulder problems, (rotator cuff tear and arthritis), so I’m very content with the strength and confidence that I got back from PT. (61 y/o not very active female). I hope you're feeling better by now.
I’ve had pain in my elbow and shoulder for a year. I can’t lift anything heavy anymore either.
On work comp for over a year for left shoulder labrum repair (2 of them) now I have a long head bicep tear. Should I have surgery? I'm 41 and want my activity back
Let’s talk about this on Friday, July 15, at Noon ET, on my Ask Dr. Geier Live! show. Until then, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on my website - drdavidgeier.com - in which I discuss every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people.
Hello Dr. Geier, I'm 59 and had a fall, I fractured my arm socket pretty bad, it is now 4 months and am still in pain and unable to use my arm/shoulder. My Dr. refuses to take an MRI/CT scan saying it needs time to heal, he keeps telling me lets wait 4 weeks, then after that ANOTHER 4 weeks should i be waiting this long in pain? Should I get a second opinion??
I’m sorry, but I can’t legally answer medical questions and offer specific medical advice online. Join me on this Friday’s Ask Dr. Geier show, July 15, when I’ll be live on TH-cam at 12 PM ET - and bring your questions! Until then, check out the thousands of articles and videos I’ve created in which I discuss every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people: on my website - drdavidgeier.com or my TH-cam channel.
Hey Doc, I had a FULL tear of the long head of the bicep tendon at the proximal end of my arm. I have zero pain, full range of motion and no rotator cuff issues. I’m a competitive athlete at 40 years old and in very good shape. I Olympic lift (cleans, jerks, deadlifts, etc) and have good conditioning.
I saw a very reputable surgeon last week and we spoke for almost 40 min about options. We decided to take 4-6 weeks and slowly train the shoulder, upper back and bicep to see how it performs. I was told that I may get close to my full strength (deadlift over 400lbs and clean over 300lbs) with proper rehabilitation and training.
Does this sound in the ball park to you? I’m not really worried about tearing the short head, rather just being able to competitively perform. Thank you.
If you are able, join Dr. Geier here on his monthly Ask Dr. Geier Live! show at Noon ET, this Friday, July 28. He would be happy to discuss this. Also, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people.
- Dr. David Geier team
Just following up on this. What did you decide to do? How’s it feeling now? Did you have the Popeye bicep? Thank you
I am a active 72 year old and have ruptured my long head biceps tendon, the surgeon said reattachment would give no benefit other then possibly cosmetic and that the surgery presented its own risks. He gave me a steroid shot in the shoulder which immediately took away the pain and discomfort and recommended a physio to give me specific exercises to strengthen other muscles in my shoulder and arm to compensate for the loss of strength. After three months I have full movement back in my arm and can pretty much do everything I used to, although I have some strength loss perhaps between ten and fifteen percent and there's the Popeye sign in the bicep, I feel that this is perhaps as good as it gets.
I tore the biceps when I fell. Dr. Doesn’t recommend surgery. I am a 63 year old female. I have worked out daily for nearly 40 years. I want to be able to get back to my weight training. I hope my doc’s diagnosis is correct.
I’ve torn both long head biceps tendons
8 to 10 yrs ago. I’ve had no problems at all and I’ve had good progress building muscle in both arms.
I am also suffering to this disease my bicep became popeye bicep sign. So please guide me how it will come in actual position.. Please please say .. I very disturbed
Tore my left bicep couple weeks ago from the shoulder still have some discomfort how long should i wait till i can workout again or do any kind of bicep movement without making it worse
I tore my short head bicep 2 years ago haven't stopped working out only thing i have trouble with is loss of strength and i can't really do push ups without discomfort. Used to lift 50lb dumbells now im down to 35lb on the left arm so significant loss of strength.
@@mvrdamonxy7942 check out Eddie hall and Larry wheels, both had proximal tears and both still training
I have a bicep tear and I have had pain for months . My factor said I can keep doing my Pilates. He said physical therapy would not help. Can anyone send me exercises to do do to help me heal or strengthen my bicep.
I'm 43, and have a fairly active job. I have just been diagnosed with a ruptured Long Head Tendon at the shoulder. Being self-employed, I don't really want to have surgery if I can help it.
I am awaiting an appointment to the Musculoskeletal Hospital, to see what needs to be done
Update?
Chris Russell Hi,
I opted for Physio, they say that frozen shoulder has started to set in now.
I have recently had a week off, and towards the end of that week, my shoulder did start to loosen slightly, however, three days back at work and it's stiffening up again.
Sorry to hear that, just got off the phone with my person that is going to do my 2nd opinion. Gotta get the records transferred then will see where it goes. Seen too many videos on here of people getting the EXACT thing repaired long after the injury to believe that it's too late. Keep the faith!
Chris Russell let's hope the second opinion is better news for you.
I've heard the same though. I asked my consultant, what happens if the physio doesn't work? He said " Then you will be referred to the Orthopedic Surgeon"
Thanks, I'm optimistic (and determined). :)
Thanks for the informative video...I recently had a mountain biking accident that caused a subluxation and I'm contemplating my surgical options (tenodesis or tenotomy). I'm pretty sure I'm going to opt for tenodesis (I'm 41 and moderately active)
My LHB tear (almost fully torn now as seen on the MRI) has torn from the labrum, higher up on the arm so its more painfull and a different animal. But the tear is in conjunction with degen labrum and massive RCT for many years. I do hope the LHB will fully tear soon and perhaps the pain will then go away. I havent had an rTSA YET and I now know that with reverse rTSA'S The surgeon tries to reattach the LHB elsewhere on the humerus (tenodesis or tenotomy) . But if its fully torn then why reattach it? It wouldnt return any function and bicep essentialy becomes a Unicep. There is a Tenodesis option but the heck with it since its torn in the other arm too. Not worth it. I have also lifted most of my life. The irony is many of us are lifting all of our lives to stay strong and in shape, only to tear Cuffs and tendons to the point of not being able to lift again. I would have lifted much lighter If I had to do it over.
I realize that this video is over 7yrs old, but I figure the heck.
I had a partial tear of the long head of the bicep at the shoulder by time the surgeon got in there to repair it, it completely tore and retracted.
During PT, apparently one or more of the exercises they had me doing caused a tear in the rotator cuff which has now limited my range of motion
Now they're talking complete shoulder joint replacement. Smh.
Any suggestions?
I’m sorry, but Dr. Geier can’t legally answer medical questions and offer specific medical advice online. Join Dr. Geier on his monthly Ask Dr. Geier Live! Show, November 17, when he'll be live on TH-cam at 12 PM ET - and bring your questions! Until then, check out the hundreds of videos here and thousands of articles on his website - drdavidgeier.com - in which he discusses every musculoskeletal injury suffered by athletes and active people.
- Dr. David Geier team
I am a fairly active 76 year old. Plenty of reasonable manual work and love playing golf. In my younger days I was a very active physical education participant. Rugby, athletics(javelin), tennis, gymnastics and swimming. Playing golf recently I injured my right biceps by just driving off something i have done 1000's of time. There was a sudden "crack" and a sharp pain. Immediately I thought I had damaged my biceps. I refrained from playing any further and checked the injury. Having seen a biceps rupture/tear on two previous occasions I recognised the "popeye" effect. A day or so later a hefty bruise occurred on the lower biceps near the elbow, probably due to my "rice" treatment. Some days later I visited my General Practitioner for peace of mind. He confirmed the injury and told me exactly the same as you have explained in your video. No surgery should be required and healing would take place naturally and I could continue playing golf. I am still resting it after 3 weeks and feel that some sort of remedial exercises would be beneficial. Am I correct and where can I access any such exercises? Thanking you for you wonderful explanation and video.
Brian Marshall
I'm glad it was helpful! I don't know of any resources off the top of my head for exercises. You could work with a physical therapist once and get a program designed specifically for you.
65 yo male , weight trained for 49 years , finally tore the bicep tendon, having surgery soon.
Is it chronic or new rupture ?
Hi doc.I am 71yr old.I do crochet for charity. My GP said that my tendons on the upper is causing me stabbing pain,even when I in bed.Terrible pain.
Should I stop the crochet?Is it possible to heal ,if so what shall I do?
Will appreciate a reply and advice . Thank you.
Love from South Africa
I’m sorry, but I can’t legally answer medical questions and offer medical advice online. I have created thousands of articles and videos that discuss almost any musculoskeletal injury that should help you.
In my case the long head tendon didn’t tear. Instead the bicep muscle tore from the long head tendon.
There is no advice anywhere on the internet for this. All the gurus avoid it because they don’t know what to do.
I am gently lifting and doing supinate db curls to try and recover and rebuild a bit.
How are you now very hard to find info everyone’s just tryna get money
Hi Al... I think I have done the same as you and detached bicep from tendon at the top of bicep. How are doing now? Did you get any surgery? Are training at all? How is your strength? Would be great to hear your experiences... Many thanks Iain
True. I can't find it in TH-cam. Today I injured the bicep part where it connects to the shoulder. Where the top bicep and shoulder separates. It got me depressed.
I was doing leg hacksquat.
@@danielkrome6640 yes, is it completely torn
What if you injured the short head?
I’m a 51yr old competitive bodybuilder that exercises 5 days a week with medium to high intensity and weight. 4 weeks ago I tore or ruptured something in my right bicep shoulder long head and possibly my supraspinatus on the right shoulder that had a partial tear from a yr ago. Last week I had an MRI and saw my sports orthopedic doctors PA that told me at my age surgery wasn’t really necessary. I have an appointment with the actual dr this week to go over my MRI. In your opinion based on how active I am (highly) should I push for the surgery even though the PA said it wasn’t really important. It is to me so any feedback would be great. Thank you.
How did your issue develop? I also got a biceps problem because of workouts, though I am not a bodybuilder at your level, I am more of a beginner. Wondering what you did next ?
@@rogermorse_ It didn’t really develop from exercise for me. It was mostly related to a small shoulder tear and all the years of training. I was doing shrugs when it tore from the proximal head (top). I’m back to working out regularly but wish I had had the surgery right away because now I have more difficulty with different movements due to the lower pec long bicep head attachment. It appears that it is the only thing stabilizing my shoulder and posture now. A pulling forward feeling of my right shoulder and bicep. It puts a strain on my movement. Good form and time might help but it doesn’t feel right. Hope it helps.
@@DavidSmith-pc1mr my dr told me the same .. I tore mine a month ago and still have a popeye bicep and only been lifting with 1 side of my body?? How long did u let it heal before using the injured arm??
If The bicep muscle itself is torn from the tendon can that be repaired?
I’m sorry, but I can’t legally answer medical questions and offer medical advice online. I have created thousands of articles and videos that discuss almost any musculoskeletal injury that should help you.
yes.
My surgeon told me that subacromial decompression was the best and only option.
Hi doctor I strained the long head of my biceps been flipped off of a innertube this past Labor Day weekend I’ve also noticed some numbing in my right hand especially in the mornings which makes me think that I also impinged the nerve I’m pretty sure that I don’t have a biceps tear because I don’t have the Popeye bolts I have strength in both arms I just have a issue with supination turning my wrist from left to right putting my arm overhead especially when I am swinging a hammer or using a pneumatic nailer. It has really affected my workouts I don’t do clean and jerks no shoulder movements overhead. Just so you understand I’m not in constant pain is just a slight weakness in that shoulder and there’s also a popping when I move my upper arm in a certain position. I spoke with my general practitioner and he put me through the protocols reaching behind my back and reaching overhead reaching in the middle of my back so he ruled out rotator cuff injury which is what I thought I had but I’ve seen rotator cuff injuries before and it’s not pretty. So I guess what I’m trying to ask you is what is the healing time on a strained long head of the biceps tendon. It’s been over six weeks now since Labor Day weekend give or take and I’m starting to notice now that my my arm is a little tight in the morning especially the inner biceps head.Any feedback with greatly. Your video post is very helpful and help me really understand the difference between tears and strains.Any feedback would be greatly appreciated thank you Dr.
Hi, I had this surgery 2 days before Christmas last year 2016, everything appeared to go fine, but nearly 10 months later I am not seeing much progress in the muscle. I am going back to my surgeon next week just to put my mind at ease & confirm all is Ok.
So anyone having this surgery needs to be prepared for a long recovery if my is anything to go by.
Have u been rehabilitating with light weight and bands also keep moving it icing ibuprofen
Will a partial tear heal
It's hard to know in every case. It's possible a partial biceps tear could heal.
I have had two surgeries on my shoulder and now I'm back in the same position again. My pain level is 8 to 10 and it hurts most at night. My Ortho says I don't need another surgery , my shoulder hurts so bad that its starting to drive me CRAZY.
my pain level is horrible as well. right shoulder is really bad in the front, gonna have surgery ASAP.
@@SportsMusicCars Just found I need another surgery. This will be you with one. I fell in the garage about two weeks ago.
be my 5th one
I'm having a bicep tendon repair on the 29th. How bad is the pain gonna be after surgery? That's the biggest thing I'm worried about.
@@BB-fo5mr Your right the first 4 to 5days was the worst for me. I start my physical therapy tomorrow on it. But everything is going well thus far. Thank you for your reply.
@@jamesprewitt9320 I have chronic biceps lonh head rupture from shoulder years ago can I re-attach it by surgery ?
@@BB-fo5mr I have chronic biceps lonh head rupture from shoulder years ago can I re-attach it by surgery ?
Help me....
I hurt mine 8 months ago, just sitting in the car...a searing pain through my shoulder. I’ve been waiting since then for an ultrasound. In that time, a bulge has developed on my outer bicep area and I no longer can move my arm at the shoulder (frozen shoulder?) and the pain just worsens with every passing day.
I do have Ehlers Danlos syndrome...I’m assuming this isn’t going to get better on its’ own. 😒
My long biceps tendon is torn off and sometimes I do not feel pain at all and other days I can barely sleep because of the pain.
I am 67 years old, active jogging and dancing at a fairly high amateur level, and my right arm needs strength and flexibiity.
My orthopedic doctors in Heidelberg (Germany) both suggest surgery - but after having done distance running for some decades the university doctors will not narcotize me - heartbeat frequency below 40.
Now I will have it done in a private hospital.
After surgery (next week) I will know more and share what I learned.
Hello Isnogod, I am also from Heidelberg. I have right shoulder pain. I visited Dr. Volk and he said it's nothing to worry. But I still have pain. I got the reports from MRI so I should visit another doctor now.
Why the music? It's aweful. I can't hear a thing.
Went in for surgery yesterday and my doctor said he couldn't reattach it because it was balled up (retracted). I call B.S. and think he doesn't know what the hell he's doing or didn't have the right equipment. It's only been 2 months since the injury. I'm NOT going through the rest of my life looking goofy and without 100% function of my muscles, that's ridiculous. Looking for a better doctor tomorrow. So pissed.
My workmans comp got denied, appealing now
Chris Russell - How did it go? I just had rotater cuff surgery and they did not repair my LHB tear. Dr told me he doesn't usually fix them and it will be fine, it will just look funny. I thought I would come out of surgery whole, but I'm not. I think they don't even bother to fix it, or even tell you in my case, because insurance won't pay for it. Sucks.
@Marie Hornung You'd win that bet. I believe a robot will be able to do it in the next couple years and we can tell these slackers to go pound sand.
i have both of my arms(bicep)torn.......i went a year without surgery and I am going to see a specialist now........I dont know if i waited too late.........I want to get them reattached.
What's the verdict with your bicep tendons? I'm in the same boat with my right shoulder..
I have torn the long head off my shoulder I am very active construction worker rotator cuff seems fine doctor says I can go without surgery I'm 46 marvels week not sure what to do
Get it fixed. It's workman's comp.
Chris Russell got it fixed I'm two weeks post surgery still can't us it yet but I'll give an update Friday that's my first doctor's visit post surgery
Cool, thanks for the update, wishing you the best, keep us posted, very interested to know how it goes. I'm 51, very active and don't want to go thru the second half of my life with limited use of my shit or looking goofy if it can be avoided. Getting an MRI for mine soon as well as a new (better) doctor.
Chris Russell so fare it's going rough but I don't have the Popeye arm lost muscle tone but I think I'll get it back in the long run I believe it's worth it good luck with yours the sooner you get it done the better let me know how it goes good luck
hog wash hello and greetings I tore my bicep four weeks ago and opted out on surgery, now I’m second guessing myself, I was told not to wait more than two weeks. How did yours turn out?
I am 51. Ex 13yr football player of higher level.. I stopped playing 16yrs ago. I am TRAINING for Arm wtestling.. Arms And wrists and actually arm WRESTLING as training. My deltoids are killing me. Hurts when I armwtestle.
Question is, what top percentage were you in you’re class of graduation?