Bicep Tear

Biceps are the muscles located on the upper arm. In medical and anatomical terms, it is called biceps brachii muscle. It helps in the rotation of the forearm and flexing the elbow. This muscle consists of 2 bundles of muscles, having their own origins. These also share a common insertion spot in the vicinity of the elbow joint. When you say a bicep is torn it is actually the tendon which is torn, which attaches the muscles and the elbow. Any injury to this tendon can impair the movement of the bicep. However, the good news is that this occurrence is quite rare.

Symptoms

There are quite a few indicators which give us signals that we have a torn bicep tendon. These are:

• Sharp and sudden pain in the upper arm.
• When the arm is strained, the bicep muscles cramp.
• There is marked pop or snap in the concerned area.
• From the central portion of the upper arm towards the elbow, the arm is bruised.
• At the shoulder or the elbow, there is muscle pain or tenderness and weakness.
• A person finds it troublesome to rotate the arms up or down.
• A bulge in the upper arm above the elbow develops as a torn tendon cannot help the muscles to be tight.

Treatment

The treatment for bicep tear depends upon the type and the cause of the injury, to start off. So first let's take a look at the types of injury. These are of 2 types - partial and complete. In a partial tear, the tendon is not completely damaged. On the contrary, the tendon is totally split into two in case of a complete tear. There too, the long head of the bicep tendon is more vulnerable to injury. This is because it travels to the attachment point in the socket through the shoulder joint. Now what causes these? An injury or an overuse can lead to a tear in the bicep tendon. For instance, falling hard on an outstretched arm or trying to lift something too heavy can bring about a rupture in the tendon. Or it can occur over a period of time due to weakening of tendons. That can in turn be a result of aging or excessive use.

The treatment deserves a mention after the causes. Thus let's ponder over the treatment for that.

Non-surgical
For most of the people pain emanating due to injury to the long head of the biceps recuperates on its own over a time period. It has to be adequately rested though. Mild arm weakness or deformity is not a matter of concern for a few people. If the rotator cuff has not been injured then an ice pack, non steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines or pain killers and rest would be effective in dealing with torn tendon. Further, physical therapy can help strengthen the shoulder and restore its movement.

Surgical
If the non surgical treatment does not work, and there is a serious damage to repair, as a last resort there is an option of bicep tear surgery. Just as the injury is rare, so is this surgery of the long head of the biceps to repair it. Still, those who desire a total recovery of the tendon in terms of strength and mobility, like athletes and laborers, they go for a surgery. Even otherwise, for those even with a partial tear this can be a good option in case the non surgical treatment has been futile. Re-anchoring the tendon back to the bone is the main aim of such a surgery. What is best for you would be advised to you by the concerned doctor. Eventually the treatment and severity of the injury would determine the recovery time.

This was the basic information about the bicep tear, there are a few other nitty gritties in it, but those can be kept aside for the time being! As this is what happens in short there is no point in beating around the bush! Take Care!