Biceps partial tear

A bodybuilder felt a snap in his biceps muscle while doing his upper body workout in the gym. He immediately felt a sharp pain and weakness in the arm adjacent to the elbow. He discontinued his training session for the day.

A day after the incident, he could not extend his elbow fully and had pain at the myotendinous junction of the biceps muscle. The was a noticeable defect in the muscle compared to the other side. He was advised rest from upper limb exercises and RICE treatment was given. Kinesiotape was applied to prevent elbow extension.

A week after the incident, there was significant bruising seen and the pain had mostly subsided. He was still advised against full extension of his elbow.

At day 10 post-injury, there was some bruising as the athlete started some minimal biceps curled in flexion. He was advised to do just isometric exercises and ice after exercises.

At 14 days post-injury, the site of injury was pain-free and he had full range of motion. He required careful monitored strengthening of the upper limb for at least 4 t0 6 weeks while protecting the biceps muscle.