Your biceps muscles run from the elbow to the shoulder. Connecting the muscle to bone are biceps tendons, and the distal biceps tendon connects the biceps muscle to the elbow. If the tendon tears, you will lose arm strength and control, particularly the ability to turn your palm to face toward you. Following surgical tendon repair, you can engage in physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises to help you regain muscle function. Because the distal bicep can take months to heal following surgery, consult your physician before beginning an exercise program.
Immediately Post-Surgery
The amount of mobility you will have in your arm depends upon the type of surgical approach utilized. For example, surgical techniques that involve making larger incisions may require that you wear a cast for as long as six weeks to keep your distal biceps tendon immobilized. Minimally invasive procedures -- involving a 1-inch incision or less -- may involve wearing a range-of-motion brace to inhibit motion. The severity of your biceps tear often determines the length of your recovery process. Once you can mobilize the bicep, you can initiate rehabilitation exercises.
Isometric Strengthening Exercises
In the first six weeks after surgery, your physical therapist and/or surgeon may recommend isometric strengthening exercises, which involve clenching the biceps and surrounding muscles to strengthen them. These exercises do not require a significant amount of movement. One example is the putty squeeze. Squeezing putty can improve your grip, which is affected by a distal bicep tear. Hold the putty in your hand with your palm facing upward and squeeze off and on for a period of 10 minutes. Rest and repeat three times throughout the day.
Range of Motion Strengthening Exercises
Six weeks or later after surgery, you typically may begin exercises that emphasize range of motion to strengthen the arm. Movements to bring the forearm toward and away from your upper arm and to rotate the palm up and down are included in these exercises. Examples include holding 2-lb. to 3-lb. weights or a resistance band to perform a bicep curl or turning the palm up and down. You may still need to wear a brace while exercising. You also may need to ice the elbow after exercising to reduce inflammation.
Activities to Avoid
Because the biceps tendon is used in carrying objects, you should avoid carrying heavy items after surgery to avoid muscle strain or re-injuring the biceps tendon. In addition to avoiding heavy lifting, you also should avoid vigorous exercise activity, such as lifting weights that are too heavy or exercises that involve the use of the arms, such as basketball or cross-country skiing.
