How to Rehab a Bicep Tear?

Asked by: Mandy Ireland

Treatment may include:

1. Rest. You will be instructed in ways that allows the limb to rest to promote healing.
2. Icing. Your physical therapist will show you how to apply ice to the affected area to manage pain and swelling.
3. Range-of-Motion Activities. …
4. Strengthening Exercises. …
5. Functional Activities. …
6. Education.

How long does it take for a bicep muscle tear to heal?

Even mild injuries can take at least two months to heal. It often takes four to five months before you can start returning to normal activities. After surgery, you’ll probably need to wear a sling or otherwise immobilize your arm such as in a splint or cast for four to six weeks.

What exercises can I do with a torn bicep tendon?

Biceps Tendon Strengthening Exercises

• Elbow flexion and extension. Gently bend your injured arm and place your palm up to your shoulder. …
• Biceps curl. Hold a 5 or 8-pound weight or a half-gallon water bottle in your injured arm and lift it forward towards your shoulder. …
• Resisted shoulder external rotation. …
• Sleeper stretch.

Will a bicep tear heal itself?

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.

Can I workout with a torn bicep?

Your physical therapist will teach you gentle mobility exercises for the shoulder, elbow, and forearm, so your arm does not get stiff during the healing process. Strengthening Exercises. As the pain and swelling ease, gentle strengthening exercises with resistance bands or light weights will be added.

What does a bicep tear feel like?

The most common symptom of a bicep tear or strain is a sudden burst of pain in the upper arm near the shoulder. You could also hear a “popping” sound as the tendon tears. Other signs that you may have torn a bicep tendon can include: Weakness in the shoulder.

How do you tell if you have a torn bicep?

What are the symptoms of a biceps tendon tear?

1. Sharp pain at the shoulder or elbow.
2. A bruise that appears on the upper arm or forearm near the elbow.
3. A feeling of weakness in the shoulder or elbow.
4. Trouble rotating your arm from a “palm down” to a “palm up” position.

Can I lift weights with a partial bicep tear?

You will likely start moving the arm soon to prevent stiffness, but you will not be allowed to lift anything for a number of months. If you try to do too much you will re-tear the biceps tendon. After we give the biceps tendon enough time to heal to the radius bone you start physical therapy.

How long does a torn bicep take to heal without surgery?

It takes about 3 to 4 months for your biceps muscle to heal. You may be able to do easier daily activities in 2 to 3 weeks, as long as you don’t use your injured arm. Most people who work at a desk job can return to work in 1 to 2 weeks.

Is heat good for bicep tendonitis?

Heat may be more helpful for chronic tendon pain, often called tendinopathy or tendinosis. Heat can increase blood flow, which may help promote healing of the tendon. Heat also relaxes muscles, which can relieve pain.

Can I lift weights after bicep tear?

Formal strength retraining is usually started at 2-3 months post-operative but return to sport and heavy lifting is delayed to 6 months following surgery.