Biceps tendon rupture

[2] Other signs at the time of injury may include ecchymosis, swelling, and/or a sharp pain accompanied by an audible popping sound.

[1][4]Patient may describe that they felt a sudden audible popping sound under strenuous load at the time of injury.

[3] Immediately after the injury, they may notice some of the signs and symptoms listed in the section above, including pain, ecchymosis, and swelling.

[3][1] Patient with suspected rupture should also be asked about risk factors including corticosteroid use, athletic history, and pre-existing shoulder impingement syndromes or rotator cuff tears.

One review quoted, "It is concluded that the hook test is moderately sensitive at detecting complete DBTR when carried out by skilled clinicians in specialist upper limb clinics.

"[6] Ruland biceps squeeze test - The patient is asked to place his arm in about 60 to 80 degrees of flexion with support.

[5][7] Biceps tendon rupture may occur in patients with pre-existing rotator cuff tears or impingement syndromes, during athletic activities, or in the context of overuse, aging, or the use of corticosteroids.

[1][5] Proximal tendon rupture is not assosiacted with a specific mechanism of injury, rather it more often seen in concurrence with rotator cuff tears or impingement syndromes.

More severe injuries require surgery and post-op physical therapy to regain strength and functionality in the muscle.

Corrective surgeries of this nature are typically reserved for elite athletes who rely on a complete recovery.

[4][18] A few reviews have shown that return to activity is independent of surgical approach, athlete age, steroid use, and rehabilitation program.

[19][4] Nonoperative management of distal tendon ruptures results in inferior strength and endurance in flexion at the elbow and forearm supination.

This image show the biceps brachii from an anterior perspective. The biceps brachii primarily serves to supinate the forearm at the elbow joint. [ 1 ] The muscle belly is composed of two heads. The short head is more medial and highlighted in green. The long head is more lateral and highlighted in red.
This image shows a biceps brachii tendon rupture on the right arm. The rupture occurred in a proximal biceps tendon, resulting in retraction distally. This is one of the two forms of the "Popeye deformity."
This image shows a biceps brachii tendon rupture on the left arm. The rupture occurred in the distal biceps tendon, resulting in retraction of the muscle belly proximally. This is the other form of the "Popeye deformity."
A proximal rupture is repaired by anchoring the tendon to a different location on the bone, like the humerus shaft. While this offers stability and improves function, it can also lead to a slightly shorter biceps muscle than the original anatomy.