Ruptured Tendon

[Warrior1700]

So, here it is, on Nov 13th I ruptured my distal biceps tendon, that is the tendon conntecting the biceps muscle to the radius. It supposedly accounts for only about 5% of the arm tendon injuries. Of course I have to be in that catagory. Anyway, I was doing preacher curls, and no, I was not lifting 150 lbs. I was just doing some normal(for me) 80lb preacher curls. 3rd set 9th rep and pop, pop, pop...about 5 very loud distinct pops and I sat the bar down, grabbed my arm, looked at my bicep and it was retracted toward my shoulder about 2-3 inches. So, off to the hosp where the ultrsound confirmed a ruptured distal biceps tendon. On the 15th I saw the ortho, he confirmed and then Nov 16th was surgery to repair the rupture. It was completely torn off of my radius. So he performed the repair. He aslo injected botox into my bicep to paralyze it for 3 months so that it would not contract. I was in an imobilization splint for 2 weeks. He took the splint off and told me to use my arm, bending, supinating and pronating, but no straightening past 45%. Now, everything I have read stated that the arm should be imobile for 4 weeks, but none of the readings mentioned the use of botox. I am guessing that the use of the botox allows me to use my arm after 2 weeks without effecting the tendon. He also told me that I will not be undergoing any PT, that when I am ready I will be able to rehab myself. I am extremely concerned about this situation and the healing of my arm. He told me that I should be 100%recoverd in 6 months and in pre-injury health. Help, does any one have any experience or knowledge that might ease my distress. Specially about lifting again in the future. I am 45 yo and have no idea why this happened. The Dr. simply said that basically my muscle got too strong for my tendon. HUH?? I am not a muscle head and have been lifting for 15 years. Thanks in advance for any help.

Added info...as I have been reading other threads about this injury and healing, I have noticed info about HGH and other stuff for healing. I am currently on HRT of 400mg CYP and 200mg deca injected weekly. Any other suggestions on that front would be appreciated.

[Warrior1700]

This is my arm 2 weeks post-op.

[MuscleScience]

Sometimes sh^t happens, you can rehab it on your own no problem as long as you progress slow and steady. Tendons take a very long time to heal because of very little direct blood supply. They basically soak up nutrients from the surrounding connective tissue. Which is not as effective as direct blood supply of course.

[Warrior1700]

Tendons take a very long time to heal because of very little direct blood supply. They basically soak up nutrients from the surrounding connective tissue. Which is not as effective as direct blood supply of course.

Oh I see. yea Doc is talking 6 months until full recovery. Not so much nerve receptors either I would guess? I mean the pain from the initial injusry was not that bad. Mostly just uncomfortable and of course weak.

[Ronnie Rowland]

I feel for you bro. Mine went POP..POP...POP as well. Boy does that hurt or what?

Here's a link to my post operative bicep tendon surgery.

Are these before and after photos real??


Take it easy and use cables for heavy sets about 9 months down the road.

[Warrior1700]

I feel for you bro. Mine went POP..POP...POP as well. Boy does that hurt or what?

Here's a link to my post operative bicep tendon surgery.

Are these before and after photos real??


Take it easy and use cables for heavy sets about 9 months down the road.

Hey Slingshot, thanks for the post. Yea it hurt, but more after surgery. I am 5 weeks Post-op and Doc has me working on ROM, no weight beyond 5 lbs if that.


Seems like that link you attached, beyond your first post, are a bunch of naysayers talking about wether your selling something or not...lol

Anyway, how long after surgery did you start training and when you say heavy sets after nine months with cables, what are you referring to specifically? Thanks for the help. Damn this sucks....