Ruptures of the biceps tendon
The biceps brachii, commonly known as the biceps, is a muscle located at the front of the arm. It is made up of two chiefs: the short one, which originates on the coracoid process (part of the scapula located in front of the shoulder), and the long one, which comes from the tubercle of the scapula (bony prominence located above the shoulder joint). The biceps attaches to the radius, on a bony prominence called the bicipital tubercle. Because of its anatomy, the biceps crosses several joints and performs the functions of elbow flexion, forearm supination (turning the palm of the hand up and down) and shoulder flexion control. Ruptures of the biceps tendon can occur in three places: at the insertion or on one of the two heads (long or short). Among these ruptures, those affecting the long head tendon are the most frequent. Injuries to the long head tendon can occur for a variety of reasons, such as overuse, degeneration or acute traumatic events. At the time of injury, usually caused by stress leading to intense contraction and stretching, patients often report an audible noise (“pop”), sharp pain and a snapping sensation in the front of the shoulder. After injury, typical symptoms include pain in the front of the shoulder, swelling, bruising, biceps deformity and impaired shoulder and elbow function.
Ruptures of the tendon of the long head of the biceps can be treated conservatively or surgically, depending on the level of functional restriction, associated injuries and patient characteristics (e.g. age, activity level, sporting needs, etc.). Isolated injuries in the elderly are generally treated non-surgically, while in young athletes, surgical treatment is often preferred. After surgery, a period of immobilization/protection with a sling or splint is generally recommended, and rehabilitation should begin as soon as the medical team authorizes.
At Foxphysio, after an in-depth consultation with one of our specialist doctors who will provide you with a precise diagnosis, your recovery process will be structured in different stages and will take place in four different environments: the swimming pool, the gym, the movement analysis and re-training room, and finally on the field. In the early stages, the main objectives are to minimize pain, recover mobility and progressively improve upper limb function. In the intermediate stage of rehabilitation, priority is given to recovering strength and endurance in the shoulder and biceps, as well as optimizing movement quality to reintegrate the shoulder-arm complex into daily activities and sports.