Okay - you folks have the most body damage of anyone I know, and that includes motorcyclists.
Yesterday I was diagnosed with a bicep rupture - that is going to cause "Popeye Bicep". I was seen by a specialist , so I was a little surprised by the options:
a) Cortisone inject that will speed up the rupture and get it over and done with
b) Surgical detachment
c) let it happen naturally.
I asked how will I know when it is going to happen - and I was told I won't. Asked will it hurt, I was told "yes, a lot"
He is not proposing repairing it ( I am 63 going on 64) but said the loss of strength will only be about 2%.
Currently it hurts all the time - there is apparently no solution til bicep armageddon.
Anyone else have any experience ?
Yes, I had this 20 years ago, when I was 33, fully tore the long head of the bicep whilst arm wrestling with a friend. There was an audible pop when it snapped.
The NHS said bad luck, you'll lose about 25% of the strength in that arm, nothing we can do.
My wife reminded me that I had Bupa private health through work so I got a referral and the specialist said yep, we can try to fix it up.
The surgeon explained they drill a keyhole shaped hole in the humerus, tie a knot in the loose end of the tendon, then pop the knot in the hole to become the new bicep attachment point.
Apart from an interesting scar around my shoulder there's nothing to suggest a difference between the way each arm works.
I initially though it was a frozen shoulder coming back, or rotator cuff damage - so for 6 months I had been doing my past shoulder exercises - which have had no effect.
I went to see my old shoulder surgeon yesterday - who came out the diagnosis.
I suspect it happen when i fractured my scaphoid , it took to walking our dog ( who has incredible prey drive, so stays on a long lead) for walks on a harness / expandable lead. I knew it ran out at 7 m, he never realise that - so my arm has had 6 months of severe yanking from a 22kg pointer
I have Bluto thigh. Commiserations.
Snapped my biceps tendon where it attaches to the forearm, arm wrestling a few years ago.
Had to have it repaired within 4 weeks or lose it. Had it done - 5" cut across forearm, find the end of the tendon, bring it back down and stitch it on.
Bicep is slightly shorter now and still not as strong as my left arm
Lots of bruising at the time, but not much pain
Got to admit, I just picture searched that and it had to be the best and most appropriate laymans medical name in existence.
Good luck mate and sorty to hear there isn't a fix, I think we are all falling to bloody bits on here.
My wife tore her shoulder ligament and the top of the bicep. She went to the NHS and they said they would just cut it and leave her with the PopEye bicep that was their standard procedure. I persuaded her to see a private surgeon through my work insurance. He said it was a nasty injury but that he could reconnect it all. It took about 4 hours apparently.
My wife's shoulder and arm are now both fine and she has pretty much full movement.
Our neighbour who had a similar injury went through the NHS and now has to use a step ladder to hang out her washing as she cannot raise her arm.
It is wrong that the NHS are not permitted to do the better, but more expensive and time consuming, operation, but go private. At least for a 2nd opinion and to discuss the actual options.
I have a popeye bicep after damaging tendons in a crash at Brechfa around 10 years ago. The loss in strength is minimal. I move bits of tree around and play with chainsaws for a job. I’d go for the surgery though it took a while to get back to full strength.
As WCA. If anyone knows, it's sure to be him.
Get well soon.
In fact, as aluded to above, get well soon EVERYONE.
