Management of Distal Bicep Rupture in a 38-year-old Female!
-
Hello, my friend is a 38-year-old female who sustained an injury to her left elbow while she was trying to prevent a fall while at work. The patient works as an assistant at a nursing home. She heard a pop and pain in her elbow and arm. She got an X-ray and MRI which showed a complete rupture of the distal biceps. She reported to our office with complaints of pain and loss of function. The patient states she feels a spasm in his left arm. The patient states she can not make a fist or turn the arm. The pain is extremely severe in intensity. The pain is constant and does disturb sleep. The pain is associated with numbness. The pain is not associated with swelling, bruising, tingling, radiating pain, weakness, bowel or bladder abnormality, gait problem, giving way, or limping, hand function difficulty. The problem has been getting unchanged since it started.
-
@june For most people, pain from a long head of biceps tendon tear resolves over time. Mild arm weakness or arm deformity do not typically bother most patients.
In addition, if you have not damaged a more critical structure, such as the rotator cuff, nonsurgical treatment is a reasonable option. This can include:
Ice. Apply cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day to keep down swelling. Do not apply ice directly to the skin.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen can reduce pain and swelling.
Rest. Avoid heavy lifting and overhead activities to relieve pain and limit swelling. Your doctor may recommend using a sling for a brief time.
Physical therapy. Flexibility and strengthening exercises will restore movement and strengthen your shoulder.