Biceps Tendon Tear

A bicep tendon tear at the elbow is a serious injury. The muscle typically balls up close to the shoulder. You may hear an audible “pop” emanating from the elbow, which indicates that the tendon has ruptured. Additionally, a bulge can appear in the upper part of the arm. This is the result of the muscle recoiling and creating a shorter bicep.

A bicep tear requires immediate attention from a specialist orthopedic surgeon. Silicon Valley Orthopaedics can offer several effective treatment options, depending on the severity of the injury. Without treatment, the bicep tendon is not able to reattach. Dr. Nic Gay and Dr. Masi Reynolds believe in using conservative surgical procedures as the first course of action. The type of surgery you require for a bicep tendon tear will depend on the results of a comprehensive examination at Silicon Valley Orthopaedics.

Causes of Bicep Tendon Tear

The most common cause of a bicep tendon tear is from an injury. Lifting heavy objects can result in the bicep tendon becoming overstretched and tearing. You may suffer a bicep tendon tear as a result of overuse. In the case of overuse, strenuous activities are not necessarily the cause of the injury. The bicep tendon can also tear if a heavy object falls on your arm.

There are different levels of severity in bicep tendon tears. A partial tear results in damage to the bicep tendon without the tendon becoming detached from the bone. A complete bicep tendon tear is when the tendon detaches from the bone and requires surgical reattachment.

To restore as much strength in your arm as possible, surgery to repair or reattach the bicep tendon is the only option. The arm can compensate for the injury, but you will lose some functionality. For further information and an appointment to have your bicep tendon tear examined, contact Silicon Valley Orthopaedics today.