Distal Bicep Tendon Repair
The information below is meant as a guideline only. The professional skills of a therapist must come into play for each individual patient.
Dr. Chris Evensen
PHASE ONE
0-3 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
None
IMMOBILIZER
Sling only
EXERCISES
Gentle wrist and shoulder ROM in a pain free range.
PHASE TWO
3-6 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
Active extension to 0° if tolerated. Avoid active or resistive supination.
IMMOBILIZER
Week 3 – 0° → full flexion and wear sling only if needed.
EXERCISES
Continue with wrist and shoulder ROM, begin active gravity-assisted extension to 0°, NO active flexion, gentle joint mobilizations.
PHASE THREE
6-9 WEEKS
RANGE OF MOTION
Active extension to 0° in brace.
IMMOBILIZER
None
EXERCISES
Continue to maintain wrist and shoulder flexibility, begin rotator cuff/deltoid isometrics, progress active extension. Submaximal pain-free isometric 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, advance strengthening in phase III to resistive, maintain flexibility/ ROM.
PHASE FIVE
12 WEEKS – 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.
