12-10-2019, 01:40 PM
(12-10-2019, 11:23 AM)fredtoast Wrote: I ruptured my bicep tendon at the elbow. That is distal, isn't it? My doctor said I could get by without surgery. I'd just have my bicep balled up at the top of my arm all the time. But I was young and very athletic at the time so I had it repaired.
They cut open the inside of my elbow to pull the tendon down and between the bones in my elbow. They cut open the outside of my elbow to reattach the tendon to the bone just below my elbow. After the surgery there was a calcium formation where the tendon was reattached to the bone. It was between the two bones in the fore arm (radius and ulna) so I was unable to fully rotate my wrist. It is a very minor inconvenience. I just can't turn my left hand completely palm up (supinate). I never even notice it.
I regained full strength in my arm.
Yeah, that's distal and I'm surprised at what you say your doctor told you. Here's the first reference I looked at for you . . .
https://www.bcmj.org/worksafebc/proximal-versus-distal-biceps-tendon-ruptures-when-refer
Quote:In summary, the vast majority of proximal biceps tendon ruptures tend to do well with conservative management. Patients who are young and active, unwilling to accept cosmetic deformity, or unable to tolerate mild fatigue cramping may be referred for a surgical opinion. Distal biceps tendon ruptures are treated with surgery in an urgent manner and should be referred to the local orthopaedic surgeon on call.
It may be since you had your injury as a kid they have learned distal bicep tendon ruptures do better with surgery rather than conservative treatment.
