What is a distal biceps tendon tear?
A distal biceps tendon tear or partial bicep tear occurs when the tendon connecting the biceps to the elbow is torn or partially torn from the bone.
Untreated tears can result in significant pain and most sufferers experience significant loss of strength in the affected arm.
While surgery for complete tears may be required, Regenerative Medicine therapies are useful in treating and healing partial biceps tears thereby helping patients avoid surgery.
Figure 1. Depiction of a partial biceps tendon tear. Overloading the biceps muscle or sudden lengthening of the contracted biceps can lead to tendon tears. Regenerative medicine therapies can help to heal partial biceps tendon tears without resorting to surgery.
Causes, Signs And Symptoms of Distal Biceps Tendon Tears
Severe acute pain at or near the elbow or upper arm is typical of biceps tendon tear.
A full range of motion may still be possible due to compensation of other muscles, but weakness will be evident.
Other symptoms include:- A popping noise related to the tearing of the tendon
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Weakness in elbow/shoulder
The most common cause of bicep tendon tears is weight overload (using heavy weights in the gym) or when catching a heavy object that forces the contracted muscle to suddenly lengthen.
A distal biceps tendon rupture occurs at the insertion of the tendon into the radius and is more common than tears that occur at the tendon-muscle junction (see Figure 1).
- Lifting or catching heavy objects
- Lifting with improper form (e.g., without bending the elbow)
- Sex. Males injure the biceps at a much higher frequency due to behavioral tendencies.
- Corticosteroid use. Tendon weakness is a potential side effect of steroid medications.
- Age. As we age wear and tear weakens tendons.
- Repetitive motions. Occupational or sports-related movements can weaken tendons.
- Not warming up before exercise/sports
- Overhead activities
Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome is performed by our Specialists using a multipronged approach.
- Medical History: Our doctors will ask you about the nature of your biceps or elbow pain. They will ask about prior surgeries, accidents, and trauma to the biceps.
- Physical Exam: A complete tear is apparent if there is a bump on the arm near the tear. Pain under certain conditions may indicate a partial tear.
- Imaging with X-Rays or MRI: X-rays may be used to rule out other causes of bicep/shoulder/elbow pain. However, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs) can show full or partial tendon tears.
Treatment Options
The StemX clinic offers a range of customized Regenerative Medicine treatment solutions for tendon tears.
The StemX Approach
StemX is California's leading provider of holistic and regenerative medicine services. Our experts don't just offer popular treatments, but customized medical solutions based on individual needs.
Located in Solana Beach, California, the StemX clinic is composed of a team of expert doctors with years of experience administering regenerative medicine treatments for joint disease. Our team has:
How To Get Started
Treatment Procedure
While each treatment may be customized, you can expect your experience to be similar to the following:
All procedures are conducted in our Solana Beach, California clinic. 124 Lomas Santa Fe Dr #206, Solana Beach, CA 92075.
Frequently Asked Questions
A complete tear in the biceps tendon at the elbow requires surgery and will take 3-4 months to heal. A partial distal bicep tendon tear takes a few months to heal with regenerative therapy.
One can function at diminished capacity with an untreated tendon tear or ruptured biceps but they don't heal on their own.
Regenerative medicine is an excellent bicep tendon repair options, otherwise surgery is usually needed to restore normal strength to the arm.
Sudden, intense pain near the elbow and a popping noise are the most common signs the tendon is torn.
Tendons tears can be serious. You will lose strength in that arm, risk further injuring the tendon, developing nerve injuries or fracturing the bone if the tendon is not treated or repaired.
Sudden, intense distal biceps tendon pain near the elbow and a popping noise are the most common signs the tendon is torn. Weakness is another sign of a tear.
Overall, this injury is not extremely common but occurs at higher rates in athletes and weightlifters, for example.
Surgery is the preferred distal biceps tendon repair option for a full tendon tear.
A tendon tear involves the tearing away of the tendon from the bone it is attached to. This can be very painful.
Biceps tear recovery can take several months to heal in addition to physical therapy.
Tendons tears can be serious. You will lose strength in that arm, risk further injuring the tendon, developing nerve injuries or fracturing the bone if the tendon is not treated or repaired.
Regenerative medicine treatments are long-lasting but tendon tears require physical therapy and rest to restore function.