The first and most recognisable symptom of bicep tendonitis is a sharp pain, a dull ache, or a feeling of tenderness at the front of the elbow, and can be aggravated by certain activities. It may be accompanied by bulge that looks like ‘Popeye’s’ arm. If you experience pain or weakness after doing exercise or repetitive manual work that involves bending or twisting the arm, you may have distal bicep tendonitis. You should also be wary of a cracking sound or grating feeling when you move your elbow.

During your examination, your doctor will be able to detect distal bicep tendonitis through certain physical tests. After checking your medical history, the doctor may request an X-ray or an MRI to rule out other possible injuries. They will also consider factors such as your age, smoking status, and level of physical activity, all of which can make you more prone to distal bicep ruptures.

Minor distal biceps tears are often treated through non-surgical methods. Treatment may consist of resting and icing the injury. Taking anti-inflammatory pain relief medication is combined with physical therapy to strengthen the muscles. Although surgery is not recommended for every instance of distal bicep injury, it is important for active adults and anyone who relies on their arms for work to consider the long-lasting benefits of surgical treatments.

Depending on the severity of your condition, most patients can expect to make a complete recovery from distal bicep tendonitis within six to eight weeks and enjoy full range of motion once again. To ensure a successful surgery, recovery, rehabilitation and lifestyle adjustments are likely to be required. Introducing warm ups before exercising and doing intensive physical work can help minimise discomfort and injury recurrence. 

The risks involved in biceps surgery are common to all surgical procedures. Like most large muscles, the biceps typically requires rehabilitation to recover from injury. For the first two to three days after surgery, you should spend time every hour applying an ice pack to the injured area. Wearing a sling 24 hours a day minimising activity are part of the early recovery process. The following weeks see an increase in movement and eventually the introduction of weight or resistance to rebuild strength and function in the affected arm. 

Recovering from any type of surgery is more of a marathon than a sprint. Patience during recovery tends to yield the best results. In the early stages of recovery, the best thing you can do is rest whenever you feel the need. You’ll need to wear a brace or sling for the first few weeks after surgery, after which point you’ll start rehabilitation with a physiotherapist two or three times per week. During this time, it’s important to continue with passive movement, strength, and elbow straightening exercises, and these should be part of your routine for three to four months.