Shoulder · Elbow tendons
Distal biceps tendon repair
Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow
The condition
The biceps tendon attaches the biceps muscle to the radius bone just below the elbow. A distal biceps tendon tear usually happens with a sudden heavy load on a bent elbow—often a pop, followed by bruising and a change in the shape of the muscle. Without repair, the arm loses slight strength in turning the palm up and bending the elbow.
The surgery
Distal biceps repair is a typically outpatient surgery done through a small incision at the front of the elbow. The tendon is brought back down and reattached to the bone with strong sutures and a small implant. Older tears may need a cadaver tendon graft. The final plan is determined during surgery.
Recovery at a glance
- Splint & brace
- A splint for 2 weeks, then a hinged elbow brace that is opened a little more each week. Full elbow motion is expected by 6–7 weeks, and the brace then comes off.
- Daily life
- Desk work often within 1–2 weeks. No lifting or weight on the surgical arm for 6 weeks. No driving while taking narcotic pain medication.
- Lifting
- Light strengthening from 6 weeks, with a 10 lb limit until 12 weeks. Unrestricted lifting at 3 months; heavy and explosive lifting come last.
- Work & sports
- Heavy or manual work typically at 3–4 months and sports at 6 months. Older tears or graft repairs take ~6 weeks longer.
A general guide. Your restrictions and timeline may change based on what is found and done at surgery.
Risks & benefits
Benefits: Most patients regain near-normal strength for bending the elbow and turning the forearm. Risks are uncommon and include infection, blood clots, numbness along the outer forearm (common, usually temporary), weakness straightening the wrist or fingers, re-tear of the tendon, extra bone that limits forearm rotation, injury to nearby structures (such as nerves, blood vessels, or cartilage), stiffness, persistent pain, and the need for further surgery. These will be reviewed with you in detail before surgery.
Patient Surgical Information
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Before & after every surgery