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Disorders (other than fractures and dislocations) > Rupture of the Biceps Tendon What is a Rupture of the Biceps Tendon? Tendons are bands of tough, fibrous tissue connecting a muscle and a bone. The biceps tendon connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder blade (scapula) and the radius bone in the lower arm. The biceps muscle is the muscle in the arm that you used to flex as a youth and say, “Hey, look how big my muscle is.” The shoulder blade is the large, flat, triangular bones that form the back part of the shoulder. They are covered by muscles on both surfaces which attach to the ribs and spine and then to the muscles of the arm. The biceps muscle bends the arm at the elbow and rotates the forearm so the palm of the hand faces upward. Two tendons from this muscle extend and attach to the scapula while at the lower end, another tendon attaches to the radius bone of the lower arm. Ruptures of the biceps tendon commonly occur in the tendons that connect the bicep to the shoulder blade. They do rupture in the lower arm area, but this is rare. Causes of a Ruptured Biceps Tendon? The biceps tendon may rupture as a result of chronic tendinitis in the biceps tendon. Most often, these ruptures occur in patients older than 40 who have a long history of shoulder problems, such as impingement syndrome, rotator cuff injuries. In these conditions, over time the biceps tendon becomes worn and torn, ultimately rupturing. In younger patients, the biceps tendon is sometimes ruptured during heavy weightlifting. Symptoms of a Ruptured Biceps Tendon? A sharp snap may be felt by the patient, followed by pain and weakness of the arm. A bulge in the arm is then normally visible where the bicep muscle has detached from the shoulder blade and retracted towards the lower arm. There may be also some loss of elbow flexion power. Treatment of a Ruptured Biceps Tendon? Conservative treatment, which includes a therapy program of range of motion exercises, is usually all that is needed to treat a ruptured biceps tendon. There usually will be mild, permanent deformity in the biceps muscle, but most patients regain total range of motion and elbow flexion strength. In patients younger than 40 who may work in fields that require heavy lifting, surgery to repair the tendon is often recommended. Physicians may recommend surgery to repair the ruptured biceps tendon for those patients who are older than 40 and who have suffered long-term shoulder pain. The information provided herein is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a licensed physician. © 2000 DynoMed.com, LLC, Indianapolis, IN |