Biceps tenodesis is a surgical procedure used to attach a torn or detached biceps tendon where it connects to your shoulder. This procedure involves using man-made anchors to attach the tendon to the outside of your shoulder joint. Biceps tenodesis usually involves a stay in the hospital followed by weeks, or months, of physical therapy to restore your range of motion and strength in your affected arm.
Phase 1
This initial post-operative phase usually starts about a week after your surgery and lasts up to a month, according to doctors at Atlanta Sports Medicine. During this period you should begin passive range of motion exercises for your elbow and active range of motion exercises for your wrist and hand. Your doctor or therapist is likely to instruct you to begin passive flexibility exercises for your shoulder when you can perform them without pain. The goals for this period are to eliminate any swelling and pain following your surgery as well as begin restoring movement to your arm.
Phase 2
Beginning about a month after surgery your doctor will still have you refrain from any lifting or pushing and pulling activities. You should be progressing from passive range of motion exercises to more active exercises that require muscular contractions movement in your biceps muscle. You should stay away from lifting any kind of weights with your affected arm, but your doctor or therapist should instruct you in active exercises for your elbow and wrist. The goal for this period is to achieve more range of motion in your shoulder and arm as well as help you begin more functional activities using your arm.
Phase 3
This phase of your rehabilitation begins about seven weeks after your surgery, and involves helping restore strength and endurance to your arm. You should be progressing to being able to perform functional activities related to daily living at chest level by this point. Your therapy will involve beginning light biceps curls with your affected arm as well as beginning to perform exercises like rotating the bone of your upper arm during exercise. The goals of this period of your rehab include being able to perform all exercises without pain and undue stiffness as well as be able to work with your arm at chest level.
Phase 4
During this period of your therapy, which begins at about week 10 following your surgery, you are likely to be progressing to heavier weights during exercise, and you should be performing range of motion exercises without pain and stiffness. Your doctor or therapist will likely make sure that you can perform your daily activities without pain and give you the go-ahead to return to your full activity level. You may want to check with your doctor before you start doing the military press or the wide-grip bench press in the gym, since these exercises place a high level of stress on your biceps tendon. Check with your doctor or therapist before you begin any heavy weightlifting in the gym.
