Biceps Tendon Rupture/Tear

A biceps tear is a rupture of the biceps tendon, which connects the biceps muscle of the upper arm to the bones in the shoulder and elbow. Tears in the biceps tendon (often incorrectly called the "bicep" tendon) may be partial or complete tears and commonly occur in the dominant arm of middle aged adults. Tears may occur proximally at the shoulder, in what is called the long head of the biceps tendon, or distally at the elbow.

Unanticipated loading of the tendon is a common mechanism of injury when the biceps muscle is contracting but the elbow is rapidly straightened, such as when a heavy object is attempted to be caught when it unexpectedly falls from a height. Typically, the injured tendon has some level of preexisting disease or degeneration, called tendinosis, that makes it vulnerable to injury. People who smoke, as well as those who are not physically active, are more likely to rupture their biceps tendon when it is subjected to heavy loads.