The most common symptom of a bicep tear or strain is a sudden burst of pain in the upper arm near the shoulder. You could also hear a “popping” sound as the tendon tears. Other signs that you may have torn a bicep tendon can include: Weakness in the shoulder.
Biceps tears that happen with a sudden injury are often immediately noticeable. Along with sharp pain, you might hear or feel a tearing sensation. an audible popping or snapping sound. Many people report hearing and feeling something like “snapping” or “popping.”
This is the most common bicep tendon tear and typically occurs in patients 60 years of age or older. This injury creates minimal symptoms and usually will heal on its own. At the elbow joint: A distal biceps tendon rupture is an injury at the elbow joint.
The most obvious symptom will be a sudden, severe pain in the upper part of your arm or at the elbow, depending on where the tendon is injured. You may hear or feel a "pop" when a tendon tears. Other signs that you may have torn a biceps tendon can include: Sharp pain at the shoulder or elbow.
Bicep tendon tears can be serious, but many respond to nonsurgical treatment, such as rest and physical therapy. If you think you might have injured your bicep tendon, see a doctor as soon as possible. Getting a diagnosis and treatment early can help you recover more fully.
Symptoms of bicep tear or strain
The most common symptom of a bicep tear or strain is a sudden burst of pain in the upper arm near the shoulder. You could also hear a “popping” sound as the tendon tears. Other signs that you may have torn a bicep tendon can include: Weakness in the shoulder.
The diagnosis is usually made based on patient history and physical exam. In severe, grade 3 cases, the examining physician may actually be able to feel the defect where the muscle has completely torn. An X-ray may be helpful to rule out a fracture or dislocation as the cause of pain.
Distal biceps tendon ruptures almost always need urgent surgical repair as the patient may lose significant functioning of the affected arm [8].
Biceps tendon tears can be either partial or complete. Partial tears. These tears damage the soft tissue but do not completely sever the tendon.
It takes about 3 to 4 months for your biceps muscle to heal. You may be able to do easier daily activities in 2 to 3 weeks, as long as you don't use your injured arm.
Surgery to repair the tendon should be performed during the first 2 to 3 weeks after injury. After this time, the tendon and biceps muscle begin to scar and shorten, and restoring arm function with surgery may not be possible.
When you tear a muscle, even when it is mild, you will know immediately. Expect pain and soreness, as well as spasms and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all.
Left untreated, injuries like partial tendon tears can become full ruptures that leave no connection between bones and muscle. Achilles tendon ruptures and ACL ruptures can disable your ability to put weight on your legs, bend or straighten your knees, stand on tiptoe, or walk with a normal heel-to-toe stride.
You may also experience tenderness in the area of the damage, which means the tendon is sensitive to touch or pressure.
Symptoms of a Torn or Strained Bicep
Sharp pain in the upper arm and shoulder. Popping sound or sensation in the shoulder. Bruising from the middle arm of the upper arm down to the elbow. Cramping of the biceps muscle during strenuous arm activity.
You will likely start moving the arm soon to prevent stiffness, but you will not be allowed to lift anything for a number of months. If you try to do too much you will re-tear the biceps tendon.
A biceps tendon tear is made more obvious by contracting the muscle ("Popeye Muscle"). Partial ruptures are less obvious. To diagnose a partial tear, your doctor may ask you to bend your arm and tighten the biceps muscle. Pain when you use your biceps muscle may mean there is a partial tear.
Non-surgical Treatment
Your physician may also recommend immobilizing the shoulder and upper arm during your recovery—for example, with a sling—to sustain further damage to the tissue. Always see a physician before deciding to use a sling.