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Distal bicep tendon rupture/rehab

fuzzy beard

fuzzy beard

Mar 8, 2011
2,747
31
Aurora, Indiana
#1
Wednesday I had surgery to repair my bicep tendon at the elbow. And I have come to realize I didn't understand what I was getting my self into. Seems I had a complete fantasy of what rehab and my expectations of playing bass in the foreseeable future were.

So has anyone else had this?

How long till you were able to play again?

Anyone playing upright had this done?
 
#2
I had distal surgery this past April and luckily it was my right arm (plucking arm). I was still able to play even with the splint on. For gigs after the splint was removed, I took the sling off to play.

I am guessing you had surgery on the fretting arm? Not sure what to tell you there...let me know.
 
#4
I play electric only. No problems whatsoever. I was in the splint for 2 weeks and then sling for 4 wks. I was able to play with the splint but I had to lower the bass a tad and do my best with anchoring my thumb. Once off, back to normal position.

As for playing, no issues at all. Speed, agility, endurance, etc. were all normal. As for strength to lift, carry, and pull...greatly reduced. After the 4-wk sling, I went back for a follow-up. The Dr. said I can do therapy on my own. So, I'm back in the gym taking it easy.
 
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#5
Glad to here it is going so well for you! How long after injury before your surgery? I worry about the effectiveness of my tendon fusion because it took them so long to figure out what was wrong. I had 6 weeks from injury till surgery. That's 2 times what they say you can wait before surgery.
 
#6
My issue has been trigger release surgeries on my L Th, 2nd,3rd, R 2nd, 3rd and broken LH pinky, and now it looks like my R thumb is going to need trigger release surgery. I will probably need to give up mandolin, violin, and maybe tenor banjo. Hopefully I'll still be able to play guitar, octave mandolin, and bass. These have kept me from playing regularily over the last 10 years. Good look with the bicep and yes rehab is a B()&h.
 
#7
I injured it last August and played cat & mouse with the doctors. I was supposed to have surgery on 4 Dec but the Dr. wanted a second opinion. I then met with the USC Sports Clinic in Feb (earliest I could have gotten in) and the first Dr. was balking about it helping me at all. Second Dr. I spoke to was a Mayo Clinic dude who performed the surgery.

The tendon was torn/damaged but not separated. So, they went in, detached it, and cleaned up the injury. I'm up to 20lb curls now...
 
#14
Rugrat,
I tore my bicep off my left elbow last July 14th. Thankfully I’m right handed. Surgery to repair happened July 21st. 90 days for muscle,tendon and bone to fuse. As of yesterday I am up to 2 lb curls! My arm was sore this morning until I worked it a bit. Listen to your doctor, go to PT, be patient and be careful.

It took 6 weeks post surgery to start playing bass again and for myself it was another three to be able to play for a whole hour straight. I was being real cautious. YMMV. It will get better, stay positive.

During the long recovery I overdid it a few times. Didn’t take much. Was very worried I had torn it again.

I was especially careful because my goal is to be back on my Harley next summer. My band was very patient with me.

Good luck and like I said be patient.
 
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#15
Lex P. said:
Rugrat,
I tore my bicep off my left elbow last July 14th. Thankfully I’m right handed. Surgery to repair happened July 21st. 90 days for muscle,tendon and bone to fuse. As of yesterday I am up to 2 lb curls! My arm was sore this morning until I worked it a bit. Listen to your doctor, go to PT, be patient and be careful.

It took 6 weeks post surgery to start playing bass again and for myself it was another three to be able to play for a whole hour straight. I was being real cautious. YMMV. It will get better, stay positive.

During the long recovery I overdid it a few times. Didn’t take much. Was very worried I had torn it again.

I was especially careful because my goal is to be back on my Harley next summer. My band was very patient with me.

Good luck and like I said be patient.
Click to expand...



I had surgery on Oct. 12th. This Thursday it will be 4 weeks post Op. Yay! My goal is to play 4 sets on NYE. That will make it 11 weeks from my surgery date. Does that sound doable, Lex P?
 
#19
Wolford said:
2 weeks post surgery, fretting arm. I guess I'm the newest member to this club. Can I get a number? ;) I bought a bass 2 days before injury. Didn't even get to play it yet. :bawl:
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Sorry to hear! How did you injure yourself? Actually, today is exactly one year since I had my surgery. I was able to play a whole night, which was NYE, 11 weeks post op. There isn't tons of info regarding this injury, especially for musicians, but there is a fantastic page on Facebook named "distal bicep rupture story & photos". PM me if you wanna chat. I might be able to give you some advice. :)
 
#20
rugrat said:
Sorry to hear! How did you injure yourself? Actually, today is exactly one year since I had my surgery. I was able to play a whole night, which was NYE, 11 weeks post op. There isn't tons of info regarding this injury, especially for musicians, but there is a fantastic page on Facebook named "distal bicep rupture story & photos". PM me if you wanna chat. I might be able to give you some advice. :)
Click to expand...

Thanks man. I was lifting someone who squirmed in my arms. I've heard from some people who had a full recovery, and some that have never been the same since. I'm thinking it has to do with how vigorously you rehab. I'm hoping for a full recovery. Surgeon said all went well.

Any particular exercises that really helped? I think the pronation/outward rotation of the palm is a huge component. I can't rotate my thumb passed straight up yet. Do you remember how many weeks post op before you could play at all?
 

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