On the 14th of October 2024 a 53yo male presented with an acute rupture of his right distal biceps tendon after doing a deadlift competing overseas. This injury is generally caused by a sudden flexion injury to the elbow against resistance. This patient was extremely fit and needed his elbow function back as soon as possible to compete again in powerlifting. On examination he had a complete tear of his biceps tendon with retraction of the muscle up his arm. He had weak flexion strength and supination strength. (twisting strength) The patient was keen to get it surgically fixed.

Surgery

His operation was performed on the same day where a small incision was made in his elbow crease and the distal biceps tendon identified. Sutures were placed in the tendon. A separate incision was then made on the posterior aspect of his elbow to identify where the tendon attaches to the radial tuberosity. The tendon was then pulled around to this spot and reattached with sutures through drill holes. An excellent repair was possible. The patient was then placed in a sling for 6 weeks doing gentle exercises. Postop instructions. He was placed in a sling for 6 weeks gradually working on rotation. No strengthening was done at this time. After 6 weeks he was taken out of the sling and started full active range of motion and an 8 week strengthening program. He was reviewed at 14 weeks postop and had full motion and 95% of biceps strength. He was not competing at this stage. On Wednesday 7 May 2025 he competed in the Australian Powerlifting Alliance Masters Nationals. The video below is his final deadlift where he broke his own Australian record by lifting 280.5 kg. When he ruptured his biceps he was lifting 280 kg. The difference being that he had changed his grip to eliminate the risk of another bicep rupture. He stated that the repair of his bicep had been a resounding success. His bicep is as strong, if not stronger than it was pre the repair. Physically it looks like nothing happened to it and everyone he shows is impressed with the reattachment.

This has been a great achievement for a difficult operation and shows that a ruptured biceps is not career ending and that you can regain 100% of your strength if given time. It usually takes up to 6 months to regain this strength.