Can you tear your bicep

The most common symptom of a bicep tear or strain is a sudden burst of pain in the upper arm near the shoulder. Other signs that you may have torn a bicep tendon can include:. Your doctor can diagnose a bicep tear or strain in a full physical exam. Your doctor will ascertain your symptoms and medical history before performing physical tests.

In a complete tear, diagnosis is obvious due to the appearance of a bump on the upper arm. Other shoulder conditions, such as rotator cuff injuries, shoulder impingement and shoulder tendinitis, often accompany a bicep tear. Your doctor may order diagnostic tests, like an x-ray or MRI, to evaluate the severity of the injury and if you have any other conditions. In most cases, nonsurgical treatments will relieve the symptoms associated with a torn or strained bicep.

Nonsurgical treatment options include rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. It is rare for a patient to need surgical treatment for a bicep tear. Candidates for surgery include:. The following increases the risk of tearing the biceps tendon:. Initially, your doctor will take a full medical history and conduct a physical examination. A physical examination is typically only effective for a complete rupture, as the deformity of the arm muscle is obvious.

Your doctor may also ask you to bend your arm and tighten your biceps muscle. If you experience pain while doing so, this could indicate a partial rupture. An MRI scan may also be ordered to diagnose a partial or complete rupture. X-rays may be useful to rule out other problems that is causing elbow and shoulder pain, although X-rays do not provide images of soft tissues, such as the biceps tendon.

Both non-surgical and surgical treatment methods are used for biceps tendon ruptures. Tears at the elbow most often require surgery, especially in active individuals. Because there are two attachments to the shoulder, a tear in the shoulder area if often well tolerated and can be treated without surgery.

Surgery is not always necessary for partial tears, but may be recommended for very active adults. For complete tears, surgery by an orthopaedic surgeon is often necessary depending on the location. It is imperative to seek an early evaluation as surgery should be performed within two weeks for best results. Recovery time varies from person to person. After surgery, you will wear a brace for four to six weeks. Rehab begins within the first 3 weeks and involves physical therapy and exercise.

Once a bicep is torn, it unfortunately will not reattach itself to the bone and heal on its own. There are, however, a variety of treatment options available depending on the severity of your injury and whether it was a partial or complete tear. Some bicep tendon tears will limit your range of motion and may cause pain. Many treatments for this condition involve rest, ice, the use of over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, and avoiding activities that might aggravate or worsen the injury.

There are two primary causes of bicep tendon tears: trauma and overuse. The risks of tearing one of your three biceps tendons increase with overuse of your shoulder common for pitchers, tennis players, and swimmers, as well as in certain careers , heavy overhead activities common among athletes who lift weights, for instance , age, and the use of corticosteroid medications, which are known to cause weakness in muscles and tendons.

This is a small bump on the bone near the elbow joint. A bicep tear occurs when one of these tendons becomes either partially or completely severed. This refers to damage that can cause the tendon to detach from the bone completely. In many cases, the tendon may begin fraying.

As the damage progresses, the tendon can completely tear. The result is typically a partial or complete loss of function in that part of the arm, as well as additional symptoms such as pain and swelling. Not only can bicep tears occur at the elbow or shoulder, but they can also be either partial or complete. A complete tear will sever the tendon into two places, which takes a longer time to heal. This type of bicep tear may also require surgery to reattach the tendon and regain strength and function of the arm.

Partial tears damage part of the tendon but do not completely sever it. Partial tears may also lead to complete tears if the tendon begins to fray with continued use. For example, lifting a heavy object or performing a repetitive motion with a partial tear may cause the torn tendon to fray and cause a complete tear. A bicep tear typically occurs due to either injury or overuse. Injury may cause a tear following any heavy lifting, direct injuries to the arm, or improper use or twisting of the arm.

Overuse may result in a tear if the tendons wear down or fray over time. Eventually, the tendons may tear or sever completely without sufficient rest. Evidence suggests that tears in the upper, or proximal, tendons are more common and are more likely to occur with increasing age.

In addition, performing heavy overhead activities, such as weightlifting or certain physical jobs, and overuse through sports, such as swimming or tennis, can cause wear and tear on the tendons and increase the risk of a bicep tear at the shoulder. Evidence also indicates that smoking and corticosteroid medications can increase the likelihood of a bicep tear at both the shoulder and the elbow.

The symptoms of a bicep tear can vary based on the location and severity of the tear. Symptoms may include:. Diagnosing the type and severity of bicep tear is important to find the correct treatment. Diagnosis typically begins with a physical examination, where doctors will look for signs of injury and loss of function in the arm. Generally, they will be able to observe a complete tear due to changes in the appearance of the arm. However, partial tears are less obvious. Healthcare professionals can also use imaging tests to help see the extent of the damage to the arm.

X-ray images cannot show soft tissue, such as the tendon, but they can help rule out other conditions that may cause pain. To see the tendon itself, doctors may order an ultrasound or MRI scan. These can help them get a complete image of the tendon and surrounding tissues to identify the tear and extent of the damage. Possible treatment options for a bicep tear may include the below.