Distal Biceps Ruptures at the Elbow: Overview, Post-OP, Returning to Work
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- Опубликовано: 13 янв 2025
- I will explain the initial presentation (0:28), diagnosis (5:04) and treatment (6:01) of distal biceps tendon ruptures at the elbow. I will also review the postoperative course patients can expect following surgical repair of their tendon (6:47), as well as what to expect as they attempt to return to work (14:03) following this common injury.
Dr. Adam Derhake
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Surgeon
Quincy Medical Group, Quincy IL
quincymedgroup...
biggest problem was getting my Orthopedic Dr., to take the injury seriously. it took two weeks after the injury to get an appointment, then we had to do an xray. another week passed while he argued that studies for individuals over 55 didn't substantiate surgery. Finally got an MRI which showed the tear with a 3.3 cm sparation. surgery was scheduled 34 days after the initial injury, with a different surgeon. I'm two days into recovery now. initial Orthopedic surgeon did my full knee replacement 17 months ago. with the exception of similar scheduling issues, he did a great job and I have no complaints. Seems that HMO's simply don't want to schedule work that you are paying them for, without your having to fight every inch of the way!
@@Theechad21 - I'm one week into recovery after the surgery. Happy with the results so far, but won't start rehab for another week and half. I'm having to force myself to NOT push the recover as I don't want to damage the work that was done.
Hang in there, it gets better and better. I was very skeptical about the surgery (which I had a week and a half after the initial injury, but here I am 9 1/2 weeks post-op and my arm feels great. Just don't over do it, take PT seriously and try to get a good night sleep. I'm 43 and work in a heavy industrial setting, not picking up anything heavy and taking it a day at a time. Don't forget to take your Vitamin D, I also added a multi-vitamin from Costco for any other deficiencies I may have do to diet. I also took this injury to work on my overall health, hitting the treadmill on a hill climb setting; not quite running yet as I don't want the impact to affect anything. Good luck and hope you all pull through.
I had a full knee replacement January 23. Recovery wasn't nearly as hard as it been with tendon repair surgery. With the knee repair, ice and the bicycle were my friends. I was told 12-16 weeks to be released to go back to work, I was released the beginning of my 7th week. With my Bicep/Tendon repair, I'm at 7 weeks now, and I'm still being VERY careful with movement and lifting weights. I can tell it's getting better, however this repair is going to take substantially longer than the complete knee replacement.
Just went a week before mine. I feel so sorry for you
Thank you for this. Going through it now and this is a tremendous help.
Had this surgery 3 weeks ago. Took no pain meds and pain was tolerable, maybe a 6. Did the exact same thing to my other arm and now have to go through it again. Glad my first surgery has recovered enough to do minor tasks.
Wishing you a speedy recovery
So at 3 weeks you were lifting heavy weights with your good arm?
Just to say thank you, watched both the consultation and the procedure. You have set my mind at rest.
Going to have my surgery done tomorrow. Your video answered so many questions! Thank you!
An update, for anyone interested. It's been almost a month since the surgery. I'm almost fully recovered. Lots of physiotherapy. I spent the first month and a half with a sling, unable to do almost anything with my arm. After I took off the sling I immediately went back to exercising (light jogging, jiu-jitsu positions without using my recovering arm, light strength work with my good limbs) and my recovery sped up a lot. I expect to be fully recovered within 2 to 4 weeks, in a total of 3,5 to 4 months of recovery post surgery.
@@luks1207 Hi, quick question. Do you know the technique that was performed for your surgery? Are there some that result in a stronger reattachment bond than others?
@@sharifjomaa Hi! I hope you get better soon! I don't remember the name of the technique, but they basically drilled my forearm bone from one side to the other, inserted the tendon through the hole and fixed it there. According to an orthopedist, with this technique the tendon gets really strongly attached, and it would be much more likely for me to tear the other one (which I hope never happens) than the operated one. This doctor was completely unrelated to the surgery team. Keep in mind that this is completely anecdotal, and I didn't do any research to compare the surgery types and pros and cons of each one.
I'm 3 days post-op and your explanation is exactly what I'm experiencing, they never explained the level of pain expected after the freezing wore off the next morning and I wasn't on top of my pain medication and it was not pleasant. And my bandages became extremely tight around my arm because of inflammation. I wish I watched this video right after my surgery. Thank you for this video
What was you pain level and symptoms when you injured?
I had same issue with bandage. Way too tight at wrist. Like a tourniquet.
Great video. Very informative. I had my surgery less than 2 weeks ago (as I type this). I had a significant delay in getting properly diagnosed. I went to ER on day of injury. Had ortho appt 4 days later. I asked for MRI 4 days after injury, but ortho thought all I had was a sprain so he wouldn't order one. Said I should get better in 4-6 weeks. 5 weeks later and no sign of improvement, I email ortho and he now decides to order MRI. I had a 90% full thickness tear. No contact or email from that ortho or his staff. An ortho surgeon contacts me and says I need surgery ASAP. He then says a delay in treatment should not affect outcome. He also says, without prompting, my medical care was not mismanaged. No bruising or Popeye effect. In other words, it wasn't obvious I had such a serious injury. I could say more about pre and post surgery experience. For example I don't think I was bandaged properly. I'm still experiencing a lot of swelling and numbness full circumference elbow to wrist. After watching your video now I 'm curios as to why I was not given a brace. After surgery I was given a sling and instructed to stop using it after 2 days. WTF?
This sounds like you were using the NHS.
Did they not do a hook test?
How’s it going? how has ur progress been? I had my surgery just 2 weeks ago also was not given a splint/brace just a sling which I have been using on an off since surgery other then the elbow pain I feel I have a decent range of motion atm to do minor task
@@carloslarahernandez5620 Its going well. Thank you for asking. I resumed lifting weights but I am not at the point I was before injury. I do have occasional nerve pain at the wrist and part of my forearm is numb. I am told both of these conditions is most likely permanent. Nerve damage is a known risk to the surgery that I was made aware of.
I am in a similar position. My injury did not bruise, and my retraction is only 1.6 cm. My ortho office said that based on this, they are confident of a full recovery. The injury will have happened just under 6 weeks from the surgery, scheduled for a week from tomorrow.
I’m 3 weeks post-op and this video was very reassuring with expectations and duration of recovery. I am 53 and very active, but this has slowed me down quite a bit. It’s already a mental game telling myself not to grab or pick up objects. I think the discipline of following therapy and trusting the program is worse than the surgery itself. Perhaps recommend psycho therapy along with physical therapy.
Pain was a little tough for me first couple nights and that was with Percocets prescribed. That being said, doing better on day 3 and will now slowly ease off the medication and switch to Tylenol as recommended by the nurse
Just had mine repaired today. Did they give you oxycodone and Ib profeun?
Thank you for this video I'm watching this 1 day post-op
@riecksmoov depends on your lifestyle, age, occupation, etc. I, personally, would not forgive myself for not returning to full capacity.
Thank you Doctor!
Thank you doctor. Iam post op 4 weeks.
Thanks, I had a total Distal Bicep Rupture 17 months ago and never had surgery.
I was going to get the Allograft Surgery this month but can I just wait another 8 Months to get the graft Surgery ??
currently waiting for my op, did 2 weeks ago during a boxing bout.
they was able to tell mine was ruptured without a mri though, tendon just is not there and you can see it in my upper arm.
Hi Ben. Thanks for the vid update. I am 5 days post op. I’m very active with different training modes. Any advice here for when I can start lower intensely training with resistance? Thanks
I injured my arm on a Friday (last Friday) had a consult with the surgeon yesterday (Tuesday) 4 days later, with no MRI the doctor wan to operate tomorrow, Thursday, is it normal to not have an MRI? I told him I thought there would be an MRI, he said it was obvious, any input would be appreciated, thanks!
I have this since 2 Month without surgery. Its 90 % totaly normal live. Iam Happy to make no surgery
Thank you
Is there anything I can do if I'm not happy with my Dr after surgery? I'm at almost 16 weeks with no strengthening yet .
What to do if you have partial tear? Is surgery recommended it? Does it heal well on its own?
If its about 50% of the bicep, yes you should.
You need surgery simple
Day 3 after the cast came off 🎉
Quite sore but getting easier by the day
Same. Day two post op.
Couldn’t get surgery for six weeks where we are.
Public health?
What im going through now..
Did you have a pop and how m much was the pain? I think I have partial tear because I have pain during supination.
You will see the muscle separating, pain is extreme
Although I had a distal bicep repair, I continue to have a somewhat “Popeye” bicep affect. What could be this cause and reason?
Saying that this requires a surgery is a flat out lie.. there are many videos of successful recovery without surgery.
Hello Rieck... i just had my surgery yesterday. Believe me, I almost had 90% of my strength in my left arm 3 weeks after my tendon rupture. But, I couldn't fully spinate my hand and i still had tenderness/pain with some ROM... but the biggest concern, was my disfigured bicep, I know i will never compete in bodybuilding competitions, but it look funky and i didnt want to have limitations later in life. I'm not going to lie to you, yesterday was shitty, I couldn't take a full breath (could have been part of the nerve block affecting my costal muscles) or could have been from the breathing tube down my throat during surgery. The point is, surgery is surgery... always going to come with risks. With that said, you're right, probably a lie, because I did my research on the pros and cons... no one should be pressured into surgery, because right now... I'm hating it, no regrets, because I did my research, I just know it's going to be a slow long recovery. One, thing I did find, it's better done sooner than later. I hope this also helps inform anyone else contemplating the surgery. Cheers
@@mariogonzales1766 Hi, do you know which technique they used for you, and if certain surgery techniques result in a stronger reattachment bond than others?
@riecksmoov depends on your lifestyle, age, occupation, etc. I, personally, would not forgive myself for not returning to full capacity.
@@sharifjomaa Endo button is the strongest