Prop up your arm on a pillow when you ice it or anytime you lie down during the next 3 days. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt. You will need rehabilitation (rehab). However, overhead exercises and heavy lifting place more stress on your healing tendon and may be delayed until 10 to 12 weeks after surgery. You may feel tired and have some pain for several days. But each person recovers at a different pace. Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness. Your arm may be in a splint or an elbow brace for 4 to 6 weeks. If done well, gentle range of motion exercises are begun early, using the arm gently for 3 mont ... Read More. If you have a splint or brace, remove it only when your doctor says it is okay. Rehab usually lasts for 2 months. This can also be done arthroscopically but may require a bigger incision if the defect is large. This tendon is strong so it does not get injured often. Sometimes, a second incision in the back of the elbow may be needed. This “Popeye” deformity happens because the muscle shortens when it is not attached to the bone. If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed. 4921 Parkview Place 3 doctors agree. Distal biceps tendon ruptures occur in one to three out of every 100,000 patients each year, with middle-aged men making up most of the cases. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as: Pain in your calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin. 6th Floor, Suites A & B; 12th Floor, Suite A In the elbow, the capitellum and the radius touch to absorb some the pressure transmitted from the wrist. They can slow healing. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. Patients usually get full motion back in 4-6 weeks, and full recovery can occur within 6 months. Try to keep it above the level of your heart. Patients usually get full motion back in 4-6 weeks, and full recovery can occur within 6 months. Enter F069 in the search box to learn more about "Distal Biceps Tendon Repair: What to Expect at Home". This sometimes causes injury to the bone and cartilage of the capitellum called an osteochondral defect (osteo = bone, chondral = cartilage). Your arm may be swollen, but the swelling should go down a little each day. Pat the incision dry. It most commonly tears when trying to lift something heavy or when quickly straightening the elbow to reach for something. When it does get injured, it usually tears off of the bone deep in the front of the elbow. Rest when you feel tired. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. This can be difficult for those who do manual labor. You may also be in a sling for a week or so. Recovery from biceps tenodesis is a long process. Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. The tendon is repaired through a small incision in the front of the elbow. Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do. 7 thanks. Patients frequently notice that the biceps muscle looks different after the injury. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood. St. Louis, MO 63110, 13001 N Outer Forty Road If you take aspirin or some other blood thinner, be sure to talk to your doctor. It takes about 3 to 4 months for your biceps muscle to heal. Recovery after surgery depends on the surgery. Most people who work at a desk job can return to work in 1 to 2 weeks. You can eat your normal diet. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible. Read and follow all instructions on the label. In certain sports, like baseball and gymnastics, and in professions that require heavy lifting, more pressure than normal is transmitted to the outside of the elbow. Send thanks to the doctor.