Surgery for Biceps Tendon Disruption

What is the Surgery for Biceps Tendon Disruption

Surgery for a distal biceps tendon disruption is a procedure to reattach the distal biceps tendon to a bone in the elbow (radius). The distal biceps tendon is a strong cord of tissue that attaches the biceps muscle to the radius.

When the distal biceps tendon tears (ruptures), the biceps muscle separates from the radius. This can interfere with arm function, including the ability to bend the elbow and rotate the palm upward (supinate). The goal of this procedure is to reattach the tendon to the radius and to help the biceps muscle function normally.

Tell a health care provider about:

  • Any allergies you have.
  • All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
  • Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
  • Any blood disorders you have.
  • Any surgeries you have had.
  • Any medical conditions you have.
  • Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

  • Infection.
  • Bleeding.
  • Allergic reactions to medicines.
  • Damage to other structures or organs, such as nerves in the arm. This could cause an inability to move the hand, forearm, or elbow (paralysis).
  • Re-rupture of the tendon.
  • Stiffness or decreased range of motion in the wrist, forearm, or elbow.

What happens before the procedure?

  • Ask your health care provider about:
    • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
    • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines before your procedure if your health care provider instructs you not to.
  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about eating or drinking restrictions.
  • You may have a physical exam of your arm.
  • You may have tests, including:
    • X-rays.
    • Ultrasound.
    • MRI.
    • Blood tests.
    • Urine tests.
  • You may be given antibiotic medicine to help prevent infection.
  • Plan to have someone take you home after the procedure.
  • If you will be going home right after the procedure, plan to have someone with you for 24 hours.

What happens during the procedure?

  • An IV tube will be inserted into one of your veins.
  • You will be given a medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic). You may also be given a medicine to help you relax (sedative).
  • A cut (incision) will be made in the front of your elbow. Another incision may be made in the outer side of your elbow, depending on which technique your surgeon uses.
  • Your tendon will be attached to your radius with one of the following methods:
    • If only one incision is made in your elbow, screws (bone anchors) will be inserted into your radius through the incision. Your tendon will be attached to your radius using surgical stitches (sutures) that are sewn onto the bone anchors.
    • If two incisions are made in your elbow, surgical instruments will be inserted through the incision in your outer elbow. A small hole (trough) will be made in your radius. Your tendon will be attached to your radius with sutures that are threaded through the trough.
  • Your incision(s) will be closed using sutures, skin glue, or adhesive tape.
  • Your incision(s) may be covered with a bandage (dressing).
  • A brace, splint, or cast may be applied to your elbow to keep it in place for a period of time (immobilization).

The procedure may vary among hospitals and health care providers.

What happens after the procedure?

  • Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored often until the medicines you were given have worn off.
  • You may continue to receive fluids and medicines through an IV tube.
  • You will have some pain. Pain medicines will be available to help you.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.
  • You may be given a sling to wear to help relieve pain and discomfort.
  • You will be seen by a physical therapist.

Surgery for Biceps Tendon Disruption (Distal), Care After

Refer to this sheet in the next few weeks. These instructions provide you with information about caring for yourself after your procedure. Your health care provider may also give you more specific instructions. Your treatment has been planned according to current medical practices, but problems sometimes occur. Call your health care provider if you have any problems or questions after your procedure.

What can I expect after the procedure?

After the procedure, it is common to have:

  • Pain and swelling in your elbow.
  • Stiffness in your arm.

Follow these instructions at home:

If you have a splint, brace, or sling:

  • Wear it as told by your health care provider. Remove it only as told by your health care provider.
  • Loosen the splint, brace, or sling if your fingers tingle, become numb, or turn cold and blue.
  • Do not let your splint, brace, or sling get wet if it is not waterproof.
  • Keep the splint, brace, or sling clean.

If you have a cast:

  • Do not stick anything inside the cast to scratch your skin. Doing that increases your risk of infection.
  • Check the skin around the cast every day. Tell your health care provider about any concerns.
  • You may put lotion on dry skin around the edges of the cast. Do not put lotion on the skin underneath the cast.
  • Do not let your cast get wet if it is not waterproof.
  • Keep the cast clean.

Bathing

  • Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves. Ask your health care provider if you can take showers. You may only be allowed to take sponge baths for bathing.
  • If you have a cast, splint, brace, or sling that is not waterproof, cover it with a watertight covering when you take a bath or a shower.
  • Keep your bandage (dressing) dry until your health care provider says it can be removed.

Incision care

  • Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your cut(s) from surgery (incision[s]). Make sure you:
    • Wash your hands with soap and water before you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.
    • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.
    • Leave stitches (sutures), skin glue, or adhesive strips in place. These skin closures may need to stay in place for 2 weeks or longer. If adhesive strip edges start to loosen and curl up, you may trim the loose edges. Do not remove adhesive strips completely unless your health care provider tells you to do that.
  • Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:
    • More redness, swelling, or pain.
    • More fluid or blood.
    • Warmth.
    • Pus or a bad smell.

Managing pain, stiffness, and swelling

  • If directed, put ice on the injured area.
    • Put ice in a plastic bag.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the bag.
    • Leave the ice on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day.
  • Move your fingers often to avoid stiffness and to lessen swelling.
  • Raise (elevate) the injured area above the level of your heart while you are sitting or lying down.
  • If directed, apply heat to the affected area before you exercise. Use the heat source that your health care provider recommends, such as a moist heat pack or a heating pad.
    • Place a towel between your skin and the heat source.
    • Leave the heat on for 20–30 minutes.
    • Remove the heat if your skin turns bright red. This is especially important if you are unable to feel pain, heat, or cold. You may have a greater risk of getting burned.

Driving

  • Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
  • Do not drive for 24 hours if you received a sedative.
  • Ask your health care provider when it is safe to drive if you have a splint, brace, sling, or cast on your arm.

Activity

  • Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.
  • Avoid activities that cause pain or make your condition worse.
  • Do exercises as told by your health care provider.

Safety

  • Do not use your injured arm to support your body weight until your health care provider says that you can.

General instructions

  • If you have a cast or a splint, do not put pressure on any part of the cast or splint until it is fully hardened. This may take several hours.
  • Do not use any tobacco products, including cigarettes, chewing tobacco, or e-cigarettes. Tobacco can delay bone healing. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
  • Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • You have more redness, swelling, or pain around your incision.
  • You have more fluid or blood coming from your incision.
  • Your incision feels warm to the touch.
  • You have pus or a bad smell coming from your incision.
  • You have a fever.
  • Your fingernails turn a dark color, such as blue or gray.
  • You have muscle aches.
  • You feel dizzy.
  • You have a feeling of general sickness (malaise).
  • You develop new symptoms.

Get help right away if:

  • Your tendon ruptures again.
  • You have severe pain.
  • You develop pain, numbness, or coldness in your hand.
15585

Sign up to receive the trending updates and tons of Health Tips

Join SeekhealthZ and never miss the latest health information

15856