Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Are there alternatives to biceps tenodesis? Biceps tenodesis is a surgical procedure used to reduce pain in the shoulder and surrounding area. In total, rehab may last 4 to 6 months, or until you are performing your normal daily activities. A brace is applied that limits elbow straightening to decrease tension and protect your healing biceps tendon. Possible complications of any surgery include infection, bleeding, and adverse reaction to anesthesia, including heart attack, stroke, and death. By week 4, you will likely be bending and straightening your elbow without assistance, within the range allowed by your surgeon. However, 20 percent had a second rupture of the tendon. Strengthening exercises may begin once you have regained full motion in your injured shoulder, usually 4 to 6 weeks after your surgery. Normally, when I offer nutrition and fitness guidance, I recommend trying one or two new things at a time to see how your body responds. The outlook for a biceps tenodesis is generally excellent. Having shoulder pain? Most baseball or softball players can begin a program to toss a ball lightly. Learn how to recognize and treat this injury. The biceps muscle at the front of your upper arm rotates your forearm into a palm-up position and assists with elbow bending and lifting your arm forward. Shoulder range-of-motion exercises often begin 4 weeks after surgery. They may only need simple treatments, like icing, aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil), and rest. Resting at home for one to two days is advised. Range-of-motion exercises for your fingers and thumb are performed to decrease stiffness after biceps surgery at the elbow. On the shoulder end, the biceps tendon divides into two strands, known as the long head and the short head. If the tenodesis is part of a larger shoulder operation, possible complications include: Recovery from biceps tenodesis is a long process. Immediately after surgery, your arm will likely be in a sling to protect the repaired tendon. Recovery From Biceps Tendon Reattachment Surgery. The other two are the semimembranosus muscle…. You may also be in a sling for a week or so. A small study of 11 people who had a biceps tenodesis done more than three months after injury showed that 90 percent had good to excellent outcomes. • We DO NOT recommend that you drive while required to wear your splint, are on narcotics, have limited motion of your arm, in … Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. The long head of the biceps tendon attaches to the top of the shoulder socket, known as the glenoid. When your elbow bends past its normal range of motion, it's hyperextended. This may include treatment of a labral tear (SLAP) or rotator cuff surgery. Biceps tendon injuries at the elbow typically occur when bending the elbow against very high resistance. Active range of motion starts approximately at week four.