Bicep tendon tears

[ron]

Hi all. Have just suffered a complete tear of my bicep tendon ( long head that was attached to the shoulder ) Dr says i can do without it, cannot be fixed and I will eventually return to full strength but cannot say when. Has anyone suffered the same injury and tell me any kind of recovery time and if there is anything I can do to hasten the healing process?

[Darkmanx]

Hi all. Have just suffered a complete tear of my bicep tendon ( long head that was attached to the shoulder ) Dr says i can do without it, cannot be fixed and I will eventually return to full strength but cannot say when. Has anyone suffered the same injury and tell me any kind of recovery time and if there is anything I can do to hasten the healing process?

I dont believe your doctor should be practicing medicine if thats his final answer. Get a second opinion and ask him to refer you to a specialist.

Tendons can be fixed, actual muscle not.

[nate225]

Surgery.

If your over 40 you'll have to struggle to convince a doctor you need it....good luck!

[steak]

Hi all. Have just suffered a complete tear of my bicep tendon ( long head that was attached to the shoulder ) Dr says i can do without it, cannot be fixed and I will eventually return to full strength but cannot say when. Has anyone suffered the same injury and tell me any kind of recovery time and if there is anything I can do to hasten the healing process?

I dont believe your doctor should be practicing medicine if thats his final answer. Get a second opinion and ask him to refer you to a specialist.

Tendons can be fixed, actual muscle not.

agree...doc sounds like hes feeding you arse...2nd opinion a must.

[nate225]

Terry Hollands had surgery and was DLing over 400kg about 10 weeks post surgery! Not typical but shows recovery can be reasonably quick. I know 4-5 guys locally who have had successful biceps reattachment surgery - recommend you get it done or your front double biceps pose will never be the same again! :grin: (It wont be anyway, but better post surgery than if left untreated). From a PLing perspective it probably doesnt matter too much either way - several top PLers look like they've torn & left and hasn't affected strength in the 3 lift, would be different for SM as biceps needed in many competition lifts.

[HarryB]

Years ago I met a guy in austria who did strongman stuff in europe and when he tore his bicep the WSM drs told him to leave it because the brachialis is the primary mover for flexion across the elbow joint.

Me personally I would definitely get it reattached. Go see a better dr!!!!

[Gym rat]

I would go and see DR that is very good at fixing tendon tears ie for bicep etc.

[musclenz]

Doctors are often keen to let the short head take up the slack after a long head tendon tear. You must emphasise that your sport (BBing, PLing, MMA etc) requires you to have full strength & mobility in your shoulder & arm. If you are a competing BBer you can plead the case of asthetics. You need to get the tendon surgically re-attached. Ask to be referred to a Sports Physician if no joy. He can order an MRI or CT scan to see how bad the tear is. You should be able to get ACC cover although if you have medical insurance for surgery its sometimes best to go that way.

[thatwaslight]

When is the risk of this type of injury the greatest? staggered grip deads?

[nate225]

When is the risk of this type of injury the greatest? staggered grip deads?

A study of this was done informally with SM competitors after a heap of guys got tears. Almost all had some form of injury (chronic, tendonitis, etc) in the arm region prior. Pays to be proactive & not ignore that stuff I guess!

I'd say tyre flips = number 1 cause of bicep tears in SM by a mile. The underhand grip with any rotation under load is a risk.

Also have to say a 'majority' of guys I know that have had tears were enhanced (I only know 3 that were clean!) so I'd say this is definately an area to consider for enhanced strength athletes or heavy training BBers - look after those forearms/elbows/biceps.

[nate225]

Terry Hollands just tore the other bicep! This time it was at the shoulder with one attachment going. On FB he's just stated upon medical advice he's probably going to avoid surgery..... to compete in two weeks time! :grin:

[drizzt]

Terry Hollands just tore the other bicep! This time it was at the shoulder with one attachment going. On FB he's just stated upon medical advice he's probably going to avoid surgery..... to compete in two weeks time! :grin:

:shock: !

[Darkmanx]

Terry Hollands just tore the other bicep! This time it was at the shoulder with one attachment going. On FB he's just stated upon medical advice he's probably going to avoid surgery..... to compete in two weeks time! :grin:

Probably had a back yard mechanic told him that. :nod:

[nate225]

Terry Hollands just tore the other bicep! This time it was at the shoulder with one attachment going. On FB he's just stated upon medical advice he's probably going to avoid surgery..... to compete in two weeks time! :grin:

Probably had a back yard mechanic told him that. :nod:

Big Tel's just had the other one repaired (at elbow end) so knows the score with surgery. I'm sure as one of the top WSM competitors he's getting good medical advice re: options to reattach or leave. Don't think the Doc had much input into the decision to compete tho! :grin:

[ron]

Thanks for all the feedback. Have been told that Christian Cullen ( ex NZ All Black ) suffered the same injury and was back playing prof rugby within weeks without surgery. Will take a break from upper body for 3 weeks ( overdue for a holiday with the wife anyway ) and concentrate just on abs and legs and see how it is after that.