DISTAL BICEP TENDON REPAIR GUIDELINES
The information below is meant as a guideline only. The professional skills of a therapist must come into play for each individual patient.
Dr. Ben Robinson
PHASE ONE
0-3 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
None
IMMOBILIZER
Locked in neutral – worn at all times.
EXERCISES
Gentle wrist and shoulder ROM.
PHASE TWO
3-6 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
Active extension to 30° in brace.
IMMOBILIZER
To be worn at all times (including exercise) – removed only for hygiene.
Week 3: 0° → full flexion
Week 5: 20° → full flexion.
EXERCISES
Continue to maintain wrist and shoulder flexibility. Begin rotator cuff and deltoid isometrics, progress active extension in brace. Submaximal pain-free isometric with forearm in neutral.
PHASE THREE
6-9 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
Gently advance ROM to tolerance.
IMMOBILIZER
None
EXERCISES
Continue to maintain wrist and shoulder flexibility, begin rotator cuff and deltoid isometrics, progress active extension in brace. Submaximal pain-free isometrics with forearm in neutral.
PHASE FOUR
9-12 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
Gently advance ROM to tolerance.
IMMOBILIZER
None
EXERCISES
Begin active flexion and extension against gravity, start advancing strength in phase III to resistive, and maintain flexibility|ROM. (range of motion).
PHASE FIVE
12 WKS – 6 MONTHS
RANGE OF MOTION
Gradual return to full ROM and pain-free.
IMMOBILIZER
None
EXERCISES
Begin gentle flexion strengthening, advance activities in phase IV.
PHASE SIX
6 MONTHS +
RANGE OF MOTION
Full and pain-free.
IMMOBILIZER
None
EXERCISES
Return to full activity.
