Rehab for torn bicep tendon

It happened last Tuesday during a serve. A loud ( to me ) pop and instant pain. The bruising started yesterday and the pain is fading. Anybody have some specific exercises to strengthen it back to normal?

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by Ted Houx

It happened last Tuesday during a serve. A loud ( to me ) pop and instant pain. The bruising started yesterday and the pain is fading. Anybody have some specific exercises to strengthen it back to normal?

in which area exactly is the pain?
talked to a dr.? if not, how do you know what it is?

Tendons and ligaments, if fully torn, must normally be operated on to recover full capability.

Do a search at yahoo with these keywords:
torn biceps tendon rehab
and you will find many pages such as this.

Read as much as you can, do your homework (no one will do it for you, not even the doctors).

A Patient's Guide to Distal Biceps Rupture
http://www.kort.com/elbow/elbowdistal.asp

Surgery

People who need normal arm strength get best results with surgery to reconnect the tendon right away. Surgery is needed to avoid tendon retraction. When the tendon has been completely ruptured, contraction of the biceps muscle pulls the tendon further up the arm. When the tendon recoils from its original attachment and remains there for a very long time, the surgery becomes harder, and the results of surgery are not as good.

Direct Repair

Direct repair surgery is commonly done soon after the rupture. Doing a direct repair soon after the injury lessens the risk of tendon retraction.

In a direct repair, the surgeon begins by making a small incision across the arm, just above the elbow. Forceps are inserted up into this incision to grasp the free end of the ruptured biceps tendon. The surgeon pulls on the forceps to slide the tendon through the incision.

The pain is on the upper arm, towards the shoulder.

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by Ted Houx

The pain is on the upper arm, towards the shoulder.

Well, check the article I pointed to for the proximal end of the biceps then. And go to a doctor.

If he tells you you can start rehad you should do so, but not before being medically advised. This is a tricky thing, a tendon.
If it's only partially affected, it's easier. If it's totally torn, you might be up for surgery, and the faster the better.

Check that article for rehab too.

Also, do a search for
proximal biceps rupture
at yahoo
you'll find articles such as this:
http://www.physsportsmed.com/issues/..._99/carter.htm
http://www.emedicine.com/pmr/topic15.htm
http://www.health-nexus.com/biceps_tendon_rupture.htm

As shown in the latest article, you might well need an MRI:
http://www.mykneespecialist.com/bice...ruptures.shtml

And only an MD, and only probably with help from MRI would be able to tell you if the rotator cuff isn't involved too.

After reading the first article you posted I'm pretty sure it's proximal end. I did talk to my Ortho Doc and he assured me it would be ok without surgery. I'm just looking for strenthening exercises.

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by Ted Houx

After reading the first article you posted I'm pretty sure it's proximal end. I did talk to my Ortho Doc and he assured me it would be ok without surgery. I'm just looking for strenthening exercises.

OK, if you talked to your doc we're in business.

Check:
my posting at:
Great fitness sites
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=33800
and look for biceps, arm and shoulder exercises (check especially the Shoulder area).

Check the last para here:
http://www.mykneespecialist.com/bice...ruptures.shtml

Marius, the article from physsportmed looked like my case study, just substitue tennis for rock climbing. Thanks for the post.

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by Ted Houx

It happened last Tuesday during a serve. A loud ( to me ) pop and instant pain. The bruising started yesterday and the pain is fading. Anybody have some specific exercises to strengthen it back to normal?

when did you do last conditioning exercises?
this might be a general problem.

I do a daily routine but have not worked with weights for the last couple of years. That may be the problem. The case study you referred me to mentioned prior shoulder problem. I just had a MRI in Dec to check the rotator cuff. It was negative but obvioulsly there was a weakening present...

[Marius_Hancu]

Originally Posted by Ted Houx

I do a daily routine but have not worked with weights for the last couple of years. That may be the problem. The case study you referred me to mentioned prior shoulder problem. I just had a MRI in Dec to check the rotator cuff. It was negative but obvioulsly there was a weakening present...

Then I suggest you pick up a general weight program from the sites I listed, not insist just on your shoulder. Because neglecting your quads might mean that tomorrow you'd have a knee problem (happened to one of my g'fs which neglected that ...).

Even the exercises in the Racket Sport Specific of my posting would help you a lot. But for serious stuff you might want to look at the OUTSIDE magazine series.

Anyway, for the shoulder I suggest initially only rotations in all directions, with not load. Just like a wind mill, but slow. Across the chest, laterally, beside the head (vertically), like in swimming.

Then, if no pain, you should start flexibility exercises. Then low weights, say 3lbs, initially 5reps, then 10 reps, see how you respond. Or with surgical tubing (can buy and install at home). If any pain, you reduce and go back to no load.

Again, check the Shoulder area in Great Fitness Sites posting. There are some standard rotator cuff exercises there.

I suggest you adopt a 3-day weight routine
say similar to this
http://www.jeanpaul.com/standard.html
listed in my compilation.

Thank you for your response. I have much work to do.