Bicep gap after surgery to reattach

[grog_lives]

A few months ago, I tore my left bicep tendon off the bone at the elbow area. I had it surgically reatached. When I finally got a good look at the bicep, I noticed a larger gap between the muscle and the elbow joint as compared to the good arm. I know I have atrophy, but I was wondering if the gap will go away?

 

[Latamier]

We did this same procedure on 3 different people last year. Very rare injury. Usually ruptures from the shoulder and is an easy fix. The elbow is harder. Did they use a 1 or 2 incision approach? You should not notice anything once you get back into training. Our last patient was a guy I compete with and other than a scar you cant tell he had anything done. I must add that he had a good surgeon working on him though!!

 

[grog_lives]

My surgon did a 1 incision prodedure. Does this make a difference?

 

[Latamier]

Not at all. The one incision approach is a newer procedure, and I'll bet he fixed it with a bio-absorable type of screw. That is a good way to repair them, and we do those sometimes as well. The 2 incision approach is just a little bit easier to help you see your anatomical landmarks. Did your Dr tell you how rare this type of rupture is. Usually it ruptures proximally (from the shoulder). Let me know how things go, with therapy and all.

 

[grog_lives]

As far as the tendon goes itself, do you have the patients rub the tendon to break off scar tissue? One of my neighbors is a physical therapist and that is what she said. She also said that this would help the muscle come down lower (help close the gap). The thing is, is that she hasn't practiced for a while, so I'm wondering if she may be out of the loop a bit. Bottome line, should I be palpatating the tendon to break of scar tissue?

Just out of curiosity, how is it that your working with patients that have this injury? Doctor? Physical Therapist? Etc.?

 

[grog_lives]

I kind of wanted to bring this thread back to life. Still looking for as much information as I can get on this subject. Anyone out there with information on this?

 

[BruceLEE123]

you mean there is a gap between your bicep and the elbow that is noticeable?

if so, you mean you have bruce lee/randy moss syndrome? where there is a two inch space near the elbow free from bicep muscle?

 

[bigrand]

I have a gap between the base of my bicep and the elbow joint on my left arm more than my right arm, noticably. I saw chiroproctor and he said there was some torn muscle from my forearm into my biceps, he used active release to get out some of the knotting in my biceps. Should i get this looked at by a MD, Lattimer? Ive been working it out about 2 months after finishing with the chiro and still noticible size difference in my left VS right bis.