Long Head of Biceps Rupture on the Shoulder

Tag Archives: Shoulder Injuries

Long Head of Biceps Rupture

The biceps muscle bifurcates into two tendons at the shoulder, a long one and a short one. The long tendon lies over the top of the humerus bone and attaches right at the top of the shoulder blade. It can be impacted by a partial rupture that leads to pain at the shoulder front.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute provide treatments for biceps rupture to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and other towns and communities in this section of Nevada.

Symptoms

Long head of biceps rupture is characterized by a sudden sharp pain at the upper arm’s front part, which can also be accompanied by swelling and pain over the front portion of the shoulder joint. A patient can find it painful to contract the biceps muscle against resistance, particularly in the first few days when it becomes difficult to lift the long head of the biceps, straight up forward over the head, and against resistance.

Treatment

Athletes who may have ruptured the long head of the biceps should apply ice on the injured area or use cold therapy as emergency first aid. The patient should also immediately consult a sports injury specialist. It is vital to take adequate rest, and not make too many movements if the patient is in pain.

An orthopedic surgeon will prescribe treatment followed by a detailed rehabilitation program. A patient may also require surgery to repair the tendon, if there is a severe or complete rupture.

Rehabilitation Program

The injured biceps tendon can benefit from occupational or physical therapy based on the individual case, surgeon’s recommendation and the type of facility. The surgeon will advise rehabilitation after a complete examination of the area to understand if there are any associated injuries and complicated factors that may impact the treatment.

They will ask the patient to rest the impacted joint in the acute stage, which can be also be accompanied by soft immobilization. The therapy may also include controlling the swelling with cold therapy, such as using specialized cold compression units, hydrotherapy, ice massage, and cold packs. The inflammation can be treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

A surgeon will advise post-op rehabilitation after examining the intra-operative findings during repair. The surgeon may put the patient’s arm in a soft sling immediately after the surgery, which will allow the patient to make gentle movements of the arm and range of motion (ROM).

To initiate ROM and muscle strengthening, the surgeon can introduce therapy bands and pulleys after 10 to 14 days of the surgery. The patient is advised to do advanced functional exercises as well as maintain and advanced ROM for six to eight weeks.

During this time, the affected arm can tolerate most cases of moderate loading. However, the patient is advised against heavy loading for a few more months, particularly in case of distal tendon repairs.

Profound, kind, and board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other parts of this region of the state for the treatment of long head of biceps rupture.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.

Sports Medicine

Shoulder is the most movable joint in the body, making it vulnerable to sports injuries. These injuries may include sprains, strains, dislocations, separations, tendonitis, bursitis, torn rotator cuffs, frozen shoulder, fractures, and arthritis.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide sports medicine for shoulder injuries to patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding communities.

Shoulder Joint Separation

The acromioclavicular (AC) joint is where the collarbone converges with the highest point of the shoulder blade. It can separate due to a fall directly onto the shoulder. The injury may vary from a minor configuration change to a severe, deforming injury. RICE protocol may be used as a non-surgical treatment. But in severe cases of shoulder separation, surgery may be required.

Bankart Tear Repair

The bankart tear is an injury specific to the labrum part of the shoulder joint. If the labrum is torn, the stability of the shoulder joint will be compromised. When a person sustains a shoulder dislocation, a bankart lesion may occur. Treatments may include rest, physical therapy, use of a sling, or surgical repair.

Biceps Tendonitis

Biceps tendonitis involves inflammation in the main tendon that attaches the top of the biceps muscle to the shoulder. It typically occurs due to overuse. Treatment may include medication, cortisone injections, or physical therapy. Surgery may be performed if the condition is severe, such as biceps tenodesis.

Shoulder Joint Tear

Injuries of the shoulder joint tear are known as a glenoid labrum tear. Symptoms may include a popping of the shoulder, instability, weakness, or a reduced range of motion. Treatments include rest, medication, and physical therapy. Arthroscopic surgery may be an option if the tear is major.

HAG Ligament (HAGL)

HAGL is a surgical approach to repair shoulder instability. This condition can be caused when traumatic forces are applied to shoulder during sports activities. An open incision surgery or an arthroscopy may be preformed to repair this condition.

Proximal Biceps Tendon Rupture

Rupture in proximal biceps tendon may occur due to wear and tear or an unexpected for or injury. Treatment may include ice therapy, NSAIDs, rest and strengthening exercises. If the tear is major or completed, tenodesis surgery may be performed to reattach the tendon.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Rotator cuff tear in the shoulder may reveal symptoms including pain when lifting or lowering the arm, weakness, thinning muscles about the shoulder, or a crackling sensation. Treatments include rest, sling, NSAIDs, steroid injections, physical therapy, arthroscopic repair, or an open surgical repair.

Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder may get partially or fully dislocated due to a fall or injury. Symptoms include swelling, weakness, numbness and bruising. Closed reduction procedure may be performed to place the ball of the upper arm bone back into the joint socket.

Shoulder Instability

A shoulder may become unstable due to a dislocation, repetitive strain or multidirectional instability. Non-surgical treatments may include activity modification, NSAIDs, and physical therapy. Arthroscopic or open surgery may be performed in severe case of torn ligament.

Board certified orthopedic surgeons at the Thomas & Bigler Knee & Shoulder Institute receive patients from Las Vegas, Nevada, and other communities and cities around this major American gambling mecca.

If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9393.