Inside view of the arm, with detail of the biceps tendon and the stitches used to attach it to the radius bone

Your Recovery

Surgery for a distal biceps tendon tear repairs a tendon that is torn near the elbow. The distal biceps tendon connects the biceps musculus to the elbow bone.

Your arm may be in a splint or an elbow brace for 4 to 6 weeks. You lot may likewise be in a sling for a week or so. Yous may experience tired and take some hurting for several days. Your arm may exist swollen, only the swelling should go down a little each day.

You lot will need rehabilitation (rehab). This will start afterwards the splint or caryatid is removed. Rehab usually lasts for ii months. It takes about three to 4 months for your biceps musculus to heal.

You may be able to do easier daily activities in 2 to 3 weeks, every bit long every bit you don't apply your injured arm. Most people who work at a desk job can return to work in 1 to 2 weeks. If you lift, push button, or pull at piece of work, it may take 3 to 4 months or longer before you tin can go back to work. How long your recovery takes depends on your injury and how well your rehab goes.

This intendance sheet gives y'all a full general idea about how long it will accept for you to recover. Simply each person recovers at a dissimilar pace. Follow the steps below to get ameliorate as quickly as possible.

How can you treat yourself at abode?

Activity

  • Residuum when you feel tired. Lie flat, and put 2 or 3 pillows under your elbow and then that it is above the level of your heart.
  • Be active. Walking is a good choice.
  • If you accept a splint or brace, remove it only when your doc says it is okay.
  • Practise not lift anything with your injured arm for four to vi weeks or until your doctor says it is okay.
  • Inquire your md when you lot can drive.
  • Yous may shower 24 to 48 hours after surgery, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry. Do not accept a bath for the start 2 weeks, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.

Nutrition

  • Yous can swallow your normal diet. If your tum is upset, try bland, low-fat foods similar plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.
  • If your bowel movements are not regular correct after surgery, endeavour to avert constipation and straining. Beverage enough of water. Your doctor may advise fiber, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

  • Your doc will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. He or she will as well give you instructions almost taking any new medicines.
  • If you have aspirin or another blood thinner, exist sure to talk to your doctor. He or she will tell y'all if and when to start taking this medicine once again. Make certain that yous understand exactly what your doc wants you to do.
  • Be prophylactic with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
    • If the physician gave you lot a prescription medicine for pain, take it equally prescribed.
    • If you are not taking a prescription hurting medicine, inquire your doctor if you lot can accept an over-the-counter medicine.

Incision care

  • If you take strips of tape on the cutting (incision) the doctor made, get out the tape on for a week or until information technology falls off.
  • Wash the area daily with warm water, and pat it dry out. Don't apply hydrogen peroxide or alcohol. They can slow healing.

Water ice and elevation

  • Put ice or a cold pack on your arm for x to 20 minutes at a time. Try to practise this every 1 to ii hours for the side by side iii days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a sparse fabric between the ice and your skin.
  • Prop upwards your arm on a pillow when y'all water ice information technology or anytime y'all prevarication down during the next 3 days. Effort to keep it above the level of your heart. This will aid reduce swelling.

Follow-up care is a central part of your treatment and condom. Exist sure to make and go to all appointments, and telephone call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a adept idea to know your examination results and keep a list of the medicines you have.

When should you lot telephone call for help?

Phone call 911 anytime y'all recollect yous may need emergency intendance. For example, call if:

  • You passed out (lost consciousness).
  • You have chest hurting, are curt of breath, or cough upwards blood.

Phone call your doctor now or seek immediate medical intendance if:

  • Yous have pain that does non get ameliorate after y'all have pain medicine.
  • Your mitt is cool or pale or changes color.
  • Your cast or splint feels too tight.
  • Your mitt or fingers are tingly, weak, or numb.
  • You are sick to your stomach or tin't keep down fluids.
  • You lot have loose stitches, or your incision comes open.
  • You have signs of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
    • Pain in your calf, dorsum of the articulatio genus, thigh, or groin.
    • Redness or swelling in your leg.
  • Y'all take signs of infection, such as:
    • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
    • Carmine streaks leading from the area.
    • Pus draining from the area.
    • A fever.
  • Bright ruby blood has soaked through the cast over your incision.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:

  • You lot have a trouble with your splint or cast.
  • You exercise not get better as expected.

Where can y'all learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

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