Biceps Tendon Tears

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If you work a labor job that requires a lot of lifting or use of your arms, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you get injured. One common injury we encounter is a biceps tendon tear.

What is a Biceps Tendon Tear?

Tendons connect muscles to bones. The biceps tendons, specifically, attach the biceps muscle to the bones in the shoulder and elbow. A tear in these tendons, especially at the shoulder, can lead to a loss of strength plus pain when turning the arm from palm down to palm up.

There are two types of biceps tendon tears: partial and complete. Partial tears do not completely sever the tendon, while complete tears split the tendon into two pieces. Torn tendons often start by fraying and can eventually tear completely as the damage worsens.

Causes of Work-Related Biceps Tendon Tears

Work-related biceps tendon tears typically result from injury or overuse. Common causes include:

• Lifting or catching a heavy object
• Repetitive lifting of heavy objects
• Falling hard on an outstretched arm
• Repeating the same shoulder motions, especially with overhead activities

Symptoms of Biceps Tendon Tears

Symptoms of biceps tendon tears can vary, but they often include:

• Sudden, sharp pain in the upper arm.
• A pop or snap that you can hear.
• Weakness, pain, or tenderness at the shoulder or elbow.
• Difficulty turning the palm of your hand up or down.
• Bruising from the middle of the upper arm down toward the elbow.
• Biceps muscle cramping when using the arm.
• A bulge in the upper arm above the elbow with a dent closer to the shoulder, known as “Popeye Muscle.”

Treatment Options

Some individuals with a biceps tendon tear can still function at a high level and may need non-surgical treatments like ice, rest, anti-inflammatory drugs, and/or physical therapy to relieve symptoms. However, others may require surgery. Post-surgery, recovery often involves three months or more of physical therapy. It’s common for a biceps tendon injury to start mildly but progress to needing surgery if heavy-duty activities continue at work. We can’t recommend enough that you ask for a referral to an orthopedic doctor if you hurt your biceps. They will have the medical experience needed to properly treat you.

Workers’ Compensation for Biceps Tendon Tears

If you have suffered a biceps tendon tear at work, whether due to overuse or a specific injury event, you should be entitled to workers’ compensation. Workers’ comp ensures that you receive the appropriate treatment, covers 100% of your medical bills, and compensates you for time off work.

Once you have recovered and completed your medical care, you are also entitled to a settlement. The settlement amount depends on factors such as the severity of your injury, your salary, your age, how well you recovered, and other considerations. Serious injuries can be worth several hundred thousand dollars, especially if you can’t return to your old job.

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