VLog Year 1: Recovery Following Distal Bicep Tendon Rupture Surgery 

It’s my turn now 🤦🏻‍♂️. 7 yrs later. Thank you for the posts. Very helpful in mentally preparing. God Bless you friend!

Thanks, Ben. I'm two weeks post-surgery. I am a 5-day-per-week gym guy, so getting back to it is a big deal, and your videos have been a blessing to me. This one really showed me the importance of stretching and range of motion training. Appreciate you, brother.

Hi Ben, I just want to say how much your videos have a given me a lot of encouragement as I’ve also had my bicep op over two weeks ago. You have provided me with a lot hope and a feeling of at ease in my psychology. Btw you look amazing! Good luck with everything you do in your life.

Thanks Ben. Going in next week and you have helped me understand what to expect.

Thanks for putting this up. Having the surgery next week. Really helpful to see what the road ahead might fingers crossed, look like. I have a similar build and love working out and your left arm is looking great 👍

Thank you for the videos. I am going under the knife next week. Your videos took off some of the depression I have with the idea of this surgery. I appreciate your effort to help educate us. ❤️🙏🧿

very little info on the internet of distal bicept rupture,you have great videos ,info and honesty .

Thank you so much for sharing! Keep up all the great work ;)

Thank you so much for this video series. i'm 2 weeks post surgery and I found this to be very encouraging. I appreciate you taking the time to make these videos.

I understand this is a old post, yet it has been comforting for me. I had this surgery 5 days ago, and am in elite muscular condition. Aside from. All the other unknown, it is very helpful to hear about your training/physic updates. Thank you very much.

Thank you sir. I appreciate your time

Thank you for making this series. I'm 11 days post surgery and I really appreciate seeing the perspective from another athletic individual.

Great video. I’m 7 months. Taking my time still haven’t done pull ups yet but yoga helps. Ty for this 😊

Thanks Ben, 3 months out from surgery now and still feeling the burning pain the same as when i partially tore it (30-40% hanging on before surgery). Ive got full ramge lf motion but with its limits, burns if i over do it and im not game enough to put it under stress in fear of tearing it again. Ill start physio at month 4, but i wont be training hard/hardish like you have, i just dont trust my tendon. Baby steps for me but hopefully ill keep my full range of motion at 1 year and further. Very insightful video Ben, thanks for being so honest.

Thnx Ben, really appreciate these series, and the rest of your vids. Gonna make myself a half year Recover vid this weekend for sure now!

Hey Ben, don’t know if you’ll see this as this video is a few years old. I ruptured my distal bicep tendon in my right arm about 3 weeks ago. Had surgery within 8 days of the tear. 2 weeks post surgery and my arm is feeling great. My incision was down the forearm as opposed to across the forearm. I’m a long way off being able to do even light weight with the right arm however my pronation and supernation is very close to the same as my left arm. Your videos have been a huge help to me in getting an idea of how this recovery is going to unfold. It’s been a bit of a mental challenge for me more than anything. I’m very independent and my work requires a lot of heavy lifting, so having to ask for help and assistance with my job and every day life has been a challenge. Having a good group of friends and family had made such a huge difference and without the help my business would have crumbled. It’s great to see your recovery going as well as it is. Hope your back to full use and function in your left arm mate 👍🏼

Thank you so much for these videos. Very helpful. My husband is having his surgery next week. Now, in 2018, how are you doing?

Thank you for sharing

I have to thank you so much for taking the time to make your videos!! Im watching them as my timeline goes . This video just came across my feed so I watched it to expect a year out . I cut and climb trees and was wondering what to look forward to . I’m 4 weeks out from surgery and I’m stretching to get range of motion on my own . I guess it’s going ok got a lot of range but with pain of course. I have a question that maybe you could answer. I know everyone is different in the healings process but when about does the tendon safety fuse to the bone ? Like when can you push the stretching?

Appreciate the content!!

Thanks for your videos. Just tore mine

Great video series. When is it safe to do pull-ups? I’m currently at 6 months post surgery. I believe I have the strength but I’m nervous about re rerupturing the tendon. thanks

Thanks for the video brother. This is crazy how you have trouble with prone & supine hand position one year post OP?? I'm 6 weeks post OP & have full range of motion. Did you do PT? Stretching is painful but it should restore your range of motion.

Hi Ben, thanks for sharing your vid bud. The question I have for you is that since posting this vid how has your recovery been to date now being almost 4 years on. TIA.

Hi. Thanks for your videos! I recently had the double incision surgery with two anchors. While supination and elbow flexibility is as good as before, the bicep muscle itself has gotten shorter - a fairly large degree shorter. Did you have any issues with this?

Thanks for making the videos. I just had my surgery and wanted to know what I was in for the next weeks of rehab. You gave me some good tips and an idea of what I have to do. Thanks again.

Thank you, because you have helped answer so many questions that I needed to ask my surgeon, as, I am at the five week mark. I see him in three more days. I am a 62 year old woman, and the surgeon took my brace off at eleven days and said full extension. I share the pain and discomfort level that you explained for my recovery level. You were the only video to prepare me for what to expect for the weeks, months ahead.

Going in two days for surgery - your videos were very helpful - Thank you!

im taking a guess that any physio would have you being a bit more strict with a stretching routine, to get some more of that mobility back. I doubt its the training thats hindering it, just likely still just more room for improvement in stretching.

How long did you take to get all motions? Will it eventually be like before the injury?

Thanks for the video and honesty. About to have surgery myself. How's your flexibility now?

thanks again for the recovery series man, head for my MRI tomorrow so its good to see the real world results cause you're right, there's not much real information on google for this

I’m am 6 weeks post injury and 3 weeks post surgery. I have my first physio appointment tomorrow.

Great to see and hear you again. Looking forward to more of your videos. Hope they'll be on a better note.

Thank you for posting this Vlog!! I am 18 days post surgery and the information I have received from watching all six of your videos has been extremely helpful. I had my first PT today and it went great but I know its a long road. I am hoping that after a year I will be back to 100% but after watching your 1 year update I'm a bit nervous. I am a 54 year old crossfitter and am hoping to be back to the pull up doing bar muscle ups someday as well as every other movement I enjoy at the gym. I do have a question for you though, now that it has been two years for you are you fully back to where you were when you tore the tendon? Again thank you so much for putting this vlog out there!!! I'm sure I speak for many that it is very very helpful.

Amazing

HI BEN, HOPE YOU'RE WELL. I'M ON MY 5TH MONTH OF POST OP. WHAT EXERCISE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO ELONGATE YOUR BICEP MUSCLE? AFTER THE SURGERY THERE IS A BIGGER GAP ON MY OPERATED ARM COMPARED TO MY STRONG ARM.

Is the lack of full rotation in certain movements due to nerve damage? Or just the tendons not having full range of motion? Kind of confusef how that aspect continues aftrr everything is re attached

Do you have any fear of a retear when training through your forearm pain? Just had my surgery yest i have a long road ahead

hi Ben I'm 12 weeks post surgery and it's been a frustrating journey. I was hoping that I'd be able to return to work (I'm a builder) but my physiotherapist just yesterday said no as it still poses a rerupture if too much load is exerted. I was really disheartened to see from your vlog that even after a year you are not back to strength and size. I would really like to see a further update from you, and I'm sure many other viewers present and future would appreciate this also. thanks for sharing

I'm about yo get the same surgery next week. I'm worried about the possible complications.

How long it takes to you to recover full strength?

I still can't supinate. Did you gain movement back? I'm considering a 2nd surgery to remove scar tissue limiting the movement

Thanks for this series. I'm 7 weeks post surgery, and my surgeon has just given me the go ahead to do some light weight high rep curls a few times a day. My question is did you spend any time with a professional physical therapist during your rehab. I was a personal trainer for several years and my feeling all along has been that I could and would do the work necessary for my recovery. But I met a Physical therapist the other night and she was telling me that if I didn't spend some sessions with a professional with experience in this particular type of rehab that a likely result would be that I would end up with limitations on range of motion based around my forearm rather than my bicep. That, plus your videos is making me rethink paying for some physical therapy sessions.

sir I really need help.. 4 year back I meant with an accident so injured left shoulder biceps and triceps I from 6 months am going to gym so I can lift weights of all but I can't able lift for bicep I can able lift only 2 to 3 kg plz help me what to do give me any suggestion for becoming strength

dude, when u did that front bicep flex u lkded gd doctor did a great job. be patient it'll come back just dont rush it

I found bent over rows with a manageable kettlebell helped me stretch it back out

thank you for sharing Ben. Hope your recovery continues. I am a Brit in the USA so the medical system is a little different here. I am 3 days post surgery. I will talk to my surgeon tomorrow but I was given much less instruction on recovery than you. I have a sling and was told I could take it off at 3 days. My surgery was using the endo button procedure with bone drilled etc. Was yours the same? Went to work the day after surgery. Arm was hanging limp with no ability to twist or bend. Back in the sling. Ibuprofen 2 times a day is all I have used. One protocol says let the arm loose and be careful, another says sling for several weeks. I watched a lot of videos with pre and post surgery content. One gent showing full motion and no stitches , bruising or swelling at 6 days which I call BS on. Yours is very helpful. I had fooled myself into thinking this was going to be fast and easy based on my mental strength. Wrong. My injury was a less than 50% tear so I trained through it for 8 months. Had the surgery after a 2nd MRI showed scar tissue and greater than 50% damage at the distal head. Surgeon said only 10% connected at time of surgery. I cycle, race motorbikes and gym work. Looks like this will be a slow recovery to say the least. Thanks again for keeping it positive.

I am aware this video is 4 years old at this point but a year post surgery and he couldn't supinate or pronate? He either didn't get therapy or ignored it. I'm 11 weeks post surgery, I have full supination and pronation. I can curl though I do get some pain if I go too fast or heavy. I am definitely weaker than the left arm when a force is applied trying to twist my wrist out of supination but it's not by much and it will come back in time. It is pretty evident that this guy's video is not representative of all outcomes, just his. here's something you should avoid if you can help it: Don't let them put it in a cast. If they want to do a cast, find a doctor who won't. If that's all you can afford then that's okay, just grin and bear it. It's another goal to get past, and believe me, there will be plenty. Get ahead of the pain post-surgery by taking your pain meds as soon as you can stomach them. It's going to ache for a day or three when nerves start waking up. After those two or three days, some over the counter ibuprofen or acetaminophen will be all you need. Good luck. Don't push too hard too fast. It will come back.

Had an 60pct distal tear high up near where tendon meets muscle 5 years ago and my arm is still weaker tjan the other. Seems like it weakens faster when i take recovery breaks for 3 weeks out of 6 months and takes longer to rebuild. Any suggestions on movements etc that may help build back faster?

Ben Carpenter did you notice your bicep was shorter than before the rupture for a period of time in the recovery process ? I haven’t seen anyone reporting their bicep looking short after the surgery, I’m assuming and hoping it’s just due to muscle atrophy and not being used for the past two months. I had the button slide technique surgery performed a bit over 6 weeks ago just doing isometric movements for now and the bicep moves properly upon supination with strong tendon tension at the inner elbow, just concerned about getting that bicep length and size back. 🤞Really Appreciate your comments 👍

So i have had this surgery done twice now. First time was a year ago and the rupture was technically a partial rupture but required an achilles tendon graft which means i had a 15cm "S" scar. About the worst case scenario. I had full extension and full supination/pronation within 4.5 weeks. I eased back into it and while it one year since the bicep does not work the same due to the fact I had no idea what it was and the surgery was done 5 weeks post injury. Basically im working with a tendon on the right side that has no muscle. I had an excellent surgeon so it is actually stronger than it was before. Now unfortunately I am prone to this type of injury according to my surgeon and had the same injury in my left arm 3 weeks ago and this was a "clean" rupture. Just had it fixed 2 weeks ago. I already have full supination and almost full extension. Additionally my pronation is about 70% of the way there. Now there is discomfort at the edges but I dont think it is due to the fact you sped up weight training. I do think your surgeon tightened the tendon too much. They have to calculate tensile strength when tightening. You should have full ROM, it is actually rare not to. Again we will see how the recovery goes for this one. Also, REALLY enjoy your overall knowledge when it comes to training and nutrition!

That after how many weeks did you start training?

Just had the same surgery 4 weeks ago and yes, pain in the forearm can be very extreme when I try to rotate.

I'm on my 14th day after surgery, and I have no pain whatsoever. How long do I have to wait until I can stretch it all the way? I'm looking forward to start training my triceps, since the biceps have to wait a few more months. I teared my distal tendon while boxing, btw

Your opinion is if you had gone slower , you would b in less pain ,? When training now , there is so little info on this subject

There’s not a lot listed. I’m almost 6 months out and I’m not thrilled with the way recovery is going.

My first recovery 1 and 1/2 years

I tore my left bicep which didn't require surgery last year. 2 months ago I tore my right tendon almost fully but didn't go to the hospital for a while, now I have but I'm not sure if I've left it too long for surgery. Worried about not being able to ride my motorcycle in the summer 😂

I can do barbell curls...I have a problem with hammer curls any advice ?

Im having the surgery this morning.

will supinate and pronate get better? Take good care im going through similar situation dunno how bad mine is until mri

How did you tear the muscle?

I had surgery 6 weeks ago and get my cast off tomorrow... Sounds like a long recovery ahead. Thanks for some heads up.

I got the same surgery done a week ago. I seen you said you aren't able to do chin ups? I am a big calisthenics person. I love pull ups, can you still do that?

@BenCarpenter Which Dr/Mr did you get for your surgery and was they recommended or did you go for what the NHS offered you? Which hospital did you get it done and how do you feel now about the process?

Need to focus on range of motion. Supination and pronation. That way you don’t limit your range of motion. By not doing this, you heal and scar and now your basically stuck that way. Unless you have someone painfully work on breaking up a years worth of scar tissue.

If you are in a solid year and were having this much pain and weakness you are overtraining and probably causing as much damage as good. I'm ~6 months in and have 90% strength, no pain, full mobility, but I listen to my body, especially if there's any sign of discomfort.

I'm 8 months post op. No issues, except that the bicep on my injured arm is still a cm or two higher up than my other arm. Bicep peak is higher on injured arm, which suggests it was not reattached tight enough maybe? I also occasionally feel a tightness in my upper forearm when I do certain exercises or movements. Anyone know if the bicep will ever move back down my arm, or if there is anything I can do which might help pull it back down - perhaps bent over rows as someone suggested below.

I had the tendon rupture yesterday went to ER I'm so sad and depressed I love my bicep and going to gym 😪 I want to do the surgery but so sad 😞

Any of you guys in Australia

How you tore your biceps?

Hi.. how's it now?

I have recently torn my outer long head bicep, there is a "popeye" deformity. However, I can do all exercises including shoulder and bench press with no real pain. Only exercise I do struggle is pushing the weight on bicep curl and gaining maximum pump..but this is expected. I have no worries with day to day activities all is good. I am not sure if I should go ahead with surgery if this would make everything worse...anyone could advise much appreciated.

Anyone have to deal with their sutures cheese wiring post surgery? Im worried I loaded my arm too much and they may have cheese wired. No bruises im just a hypochondriac. Can anyone help me with this question? Any symptoms of it cheese wiring?

did you ever get your pronation and supination back?

what makes the Bicep Tendon tear? Did you lift weights more that your limits?

I’m 3 months post op from my distal bicep tear. Muscle atrophy sucks. Give it time… keep stretching it out, heat stretch then ice.

Sorry to say your problems with pronation and supination may very well be due to the way that the doctor attached or reattached the tendons. There are two ways to do it and there is one that produces a much better outcome in the areas where you are lacking and it can be corrected through revision surgery.

I just re injuries mine and debating a second surgery

Do you still have pain in your forearms? I'm 7 months post op. I started training at my 6 month mark

Why did it rupture?

anybody watching this and wondering why the pronation didn't return it's because of scar tissue, in the first few months you need to push the pronation as far as possible through pain to regain it as the repair is internal there is no way to break the pronation down other than twisting the wrist.. supination surgeons like to heal tight so do not do this until 3 months or until your surgeon says otherwise

I had surgery 18 days ago on my left Bicep. I have 98% mobility today, but I'm weak. (I feel very blessed out of the gate.). The doctor wants me to wait about 3 months before I start training. I plan on following his advise. How long did you wait? The full 3 months?

😢

Anyone get inner forearm and thumb numbness?

Partail tear no surgery how long before i can lift again?

I had the same surgery last year and did not train heavily for a long time but have used my arm working every day and I have all movement and strength back. I think heavy isolated bicep training so soon most likely hinders good long term recovery. I was so worried about this when it happend but one year later I am 95% back to normal.

Hey bro, it's been 6 years, do you regret having had the surgery? Ibjuat tore mine and I'm 50/50 between operation or no operation, mainly because I don't know if I can afford to take off work, I've seen some people here on RU-vid (I believe his name is E3Rehab) do pull ups and set personal bests after recovering without surgery. The main thing that scares me is I don't want my forearm and grip to be permanently affected or even for a year. Please let me know how you're doing 6-7 years post OP if you find the time, thanks!

How did you tear your bicep and are you still doing personal training in the London Area?

I think the most painful part of this injury/repair is them twisting the shit out of your wrist/forearm to the point I'm thinking of going for a xray to make sure they didn't brake my arm.

I have a torn bicep it's been a year and still haven't gotten the surgery is it worth it now todo it

well this is depressing

I'm at 48 weeks post distal bicep tendon tear. I didn't do surgery. I'm back to about 50% strength. It is interesting that supposedly only about 1-2% of bicep tears are the distal tendon, so there isn't much info out there. I do plan on making a video too. It is strange to me that I also get pain in the forearm rather than the bicep when trying to train the torn arm.

only here to check if you're wearing the dog-thingy chain ! You are legit! ;)

Your injured bicep actually has a better peak.

8 weeks post surgery. Forearm hurts. Good ROM, but strength is shit. Nothing over 20 lbs or under 15 reps

Guys! Be really careful who your surgeon is, and don't let the Bloody NHS delay your Phisio appointments etc....!!! I did the surgery 4 months ago, and much like Ben, I also still have a problem with "Pronation", and the countless times that i tried to do a bit of physio to improve my pronation, all resulted in inflammation....so basically 2 steps forward and 4 steps back....i have had surgeries before, and this has been one of the most 'frustrating' experiences for me.....do i advice it...yes i still do, as you need your bicep...but the truth is that its an absolute NIGHTMARE....and it will take you 1 year to be ok....don't even think about training NOTHING before 4-5 months....your bicep muscles take that long to recover.....and please go private if you can and Avoid the nightmare of the NHS......there are plenty of European countries with Cheap but "best' surgeons for this.....if there was one thing, i would change, is i would never do it via the NHS again....

Summary, go see a respected sports physio and follow their program. You didn’t do actual ‘rehab’.