: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Acute distal biceps tendon tears are fairly uncommon injuries that mainly affect active males.
: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Acute distal biceps tendon tears are fairly uncommon injuries that mainly affect active males. This is something that can have a fairly straightforward diagnosis in a sports medicine clinic with a common presenting history and physical examination. The typical mechanism includes an eccentric load and reports show that the majority of individuals injure the dominant arm (up to 85 percent in some reports).
Disruptive injury can result in a partial or complete tear, with the latter being more common. The ability to distinguish complete from partial tears is critical because the urgency and nature of treatment options differ significantly. The overall incidence is 1.2 to 2.5 per 1,000 patients per year.
Risk factors include smoking and increased body mass index. Greater than 90 percent are males and the two-thirds of patients are between 25 and 54. Females affected are typically older than 60 and partial tears are more common when compared to men.
Case Question A 28 year old powerlifter presents to your clinic two days after an injury to his left elbow. He states that he was training for a strongman competition and was performing curls with a large axle and felt something pop in his anterior elbow area. On examination, there is a Reverse Popeye deformity and he has a positive biceps crease interval (BCI) and passive forearm pronation (PFP) test.
He is a nonsmoker but does admit to past anabolic steroid use. What is the most likely treatment for this athlete? A) Rest, NSAIDs and return to lifting as tolerated B) Referral to orthopedic surgery C) Hinged elbow sleeve, early ROM and therapy D) Platelet rich plasma and then physical therapy Distal biceps ruptures can occur at the musculotendinous junction and the insertion.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to distal biceps tendon tear, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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