Biceps Tendon Tear or Rupture at the Elbow

The biceps muscle is located in the front of the upper arm and aids the elbow in bending and rotating the forearm, as well as keeping the shoulder stable. Tendons attach this muscle to the bones of the arm at the shoulder with two tendons and at the elbow with one tendon, known as the distal biceps tendon. The distal biceps tendon is responsible for supination — the motion of rotating from the palm facing down to facing up — and once torn will result in significant loss of range-of-motion in the lower arm. Other muscles of the arm can aid the distal biceps tendon, but permanent weakness during supination will continue until the torn tendon is surgically repaired. A torn distal biceps tendon will not heal on its own.

The biceps tendon can tear either partially or completely, though more often the tear is complete, resulting in the tendon being completely  severed and the muscle becoming entirely detached from the bone and pulled toward the shoulder.

Symptoms of a biceps tendon tear include:

• Bruising at the elbow

• Swelling at the front of the elbow

• Weakness at the joint

• A large bulge in the upper arm

• Weakness during supination

• A popping sound when the tendon tears

• Severe pain