Dr. Ebraheim’s educational animated video describes the condtion of PROXIMAL biceps tendon rupture.
Educational video describing a case example of bilateral proximal biceps tendon rupture.
This is a patient example of bilateral proximal biceps tendon rupture. This condition is rare. The majority of biceps tendon ruptures involve the long head of the biceps and occurs proximally.
When the biceps tendon ruptures, the biceps muscle bunches up in the distal portion of the arm. Rupture causes a “popeye muscle” appearance.
Both proximal heads of the biceps muscle arise from the scapula. The short head of the biceps originates from the coracoid process. The long head of the biceps originates from the supraglenoid tubercle just above the shoulder joint.
Rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon occurs at the bicipital groove and the muscle then moves towards the elbow (popeye). The short head of the biceps remains attached to the coracoid.
Usually there is less disability with proximal biceps tendon rupture than distal biceps tendon rupture.
The patient may experience cramping, pain and cosmetic problems with proximal biceps tendon rupture. The physician may need to perform a surgical procedure called tenodesis of the biceps tendon especially if there is an associated rotator cuff pathology.