Partial distal tendon Bicep tear

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Riley Wyna

Trad climber

A crack near you

Topic Author's Original Post - Jul 31, 2012 - 04:15am PT

Been about 7 days since I jacked my left arm trying to flag my fat old ass in a playground.

Partial distal tendon Bicep tear?
Is there anything else folks have torn in there - like just a muscle tear?
It sort of felt like my elbow dislocated - it was weird - but classic everything for a distal bicep tendon.

Anyone have experience?
How long?
I'm not stopping climbing - will just dial back the grades.

I don't have any pain on normal everyday things.
The swelling is gone down and I can hook the tendon now on the injured arm so I am pretty sure it is not a full tear.
Tendon does seem thinner and less bomber on the injured arm - maybe I sort of cheese stringed the thing??

I don't seem to be weak - no pronation problems.

Bicep seems to have pulled back a little bit and it does seem little smaller but I can make a fairly good muscle with no real pain

I guess even with an MRI it is a very complicated area to get a good idea of what exactly occurred.

Mt doc friend wrote for an MRI for me but I am super busy with the kids, Jackie, work and climbing plans...

And it is probably not necessary unless there is something I am not aware of....
Certainly if it is a full tear, and I just don't know it, I am possibly looking at a debilitating deal if I don't get it fixed..
Who knows what the hell occurred in there..
I think i am good to go!!!

Ed Hartouni

Trad climber

Livermore, CA

Jul 31, 2012 - 05:54am PT

Get it diagnosed
You're to close to the patient to be objective

Too busy? We're all too busy!

Crimpergirl

Sport climber

Boulder, Colorado!

Jul 31, 2012 - 06:25am PT

Sent you a PM through the taco. Hope it helps!

The user formerly known as stzzo

climber

Sneaking up behind you

Jul 31, 2012 - 07:05am PT

Nurse, heal thyself.

What would you tell a patient who said he was "too busy" having fun to get a simple MRI for something he suspects could be debilitating if he let it go?

Hope it works out and isn't too bad!

Jon Beck

Trad climber

Oceanside

Jul 31, 2012 - 07:34am PT

what is the tired cliche?

"At least it happened doing something you love"

Go easy, hope you heal up quickly

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Jul 31, 2012 - 08:12am PT

Damn Riley, you were/are on such a roll too.
As I remember from other threads, there's a seriousness disparity between distal and proximal, one being less consequential to ignore.

Bob Antonio had the one you can ignore.

karodrinker

Trad climber

San Jose, CA

Jul 31, 2012 - 08:26am PT

Flagging at a park! Trying to be Dan-O or something? Get it checked before we go up more huge mountains.

The user formerly known as stzzo

climber

Sneaking up behind you

Jul 31, 2012 - 08:39am PT

Oh - friend of mine had a partial bone avulsion at the connection of the distal bicep tendon.

Maybe this, but only partial. He could still climb, just not as hard, and the injury didn't get any better until he stopped for a while.

Ksolem

Trad climber

Monrovia, California

Jul 31, 2012 - 08:55am PT

Tar-

typically the deal is like this.

If the tear is proximal it is usually the outer "long head" bicep tendon. My left one is torn off , the bigger inner bicep gets stronger and one gets a popeye looking muscle. This has little effect except for some specific rotational movements which have little effect on climbing.

If the tear is dystal it is usually the bigger inner bicep and a serious tear there should not be ignored.

Good luck Riley!

Brokedownclimber

Trad climber

Douglas, WY

Jul 31, 2012 - 12:03pm PT

Heal up fast!

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Jul 31, 2012 - 12:28pm PT

Kris,
Thanks for the clarification!
I just spoke with a friend who has two tears: a proximal on one arm and a distal on the other. Ouch.

He's experiencing exactly what you said.
The surgeon is probably just going to finish detaching the proximal tear and leave it. Literally just cut it loose: bye-bye. No biggie, but some supination limitation.

His distal tear is trickier, get this, because it is at the junction of the muscle and tendon, instead of tendon and attachment.

nutjob

Gym climber

Berkeley, CA

Jul 31, 2012 - 12:53pm PT

Doh! Go get it checked Riley. I ain't climbing anything serious with you until there's a proper diagnosis and healing!

Tarbuster

climber

right here, right now

Jul 31, 2012 - 01:46pm PT

That goes for me too Riley! Ha!
Who's with me on this one: we're putting you on the bench until you figure this thing out a little better.

S.Leeper

Social climber

somewhere that doesnt have anything over 90'

Jul 31, 2012 - 02:58pm PT

Sorry to hear about your injury Riley.
Sucks at OUR age, ha ha.

BrassNuts

Trad climber

Save your a_s, reach for the brass...

Jul 31, 2012 - 04:31pm PT

Get it checked out Riley. Not that you have the same thing, but for a few days I thought my distal tear was partial until the last strand snapped and my bicep started going up my arm... Best to know what you're dealing with... Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Mighty Hiker

climber

Vancouver, B.C.

Jul 31, 2012 - 04:36pm PT

I believe that operating a litter stick at the FaceLift is considered excellent therapy for this problem.

Riley Wyna

Trad climber

A crack near you

Topic Author's Reply - Jul 31, 2012 - 10:13pm PT

If you bastards wont climb with me I am very gung ho for free soloing.
East Face of Whitney to Russel - to Bear Creek, etc..
5.6 - to 5.8 all day baby!!!!!! jajajajaja
lol

Tar - i know this always happens to me..I get going good and get an injury!!! - freaking bullshit!!!!
The Mountains and the rock have never let me down - I blow my sh#t out in a playground or taking out the trash.

I scheduled an MRI for tomorrow..
thanks for the advice everyone..
Really appreciate it..

BR - ya, that's what I am worried about - it is actually an incredibly tricky deal - you can even have an intact sheath and fully torn tendon.
I have been thinking about your injury all week - mental notes trying to understand this thing.

Ksolsme -I do have some movement in my left Bicep with that that 90 degree pronation check - a little less than my right bicep.

MRI will tell the story..
this blows
But i am going to sneak my left shoulder in and get it done also - so at least I will know the deal with that also now..

MR - hopefully the little stick I will be operating at facelift will be a small, little, hidden cheat stick on EL Cap - at any rate it has been to long since I have visited you - so hopefully I will see you there this year..

thanks again everyone,
this is advice I literally can't get anywhere else,,

nature

climber

SoSlo, CO

Jul 31, 2012 - 10:28pm PT

the best advice not yet offered....

YER GONNA DIE!!!!!1111

Daphne

Trad climber

Black Rock City

Jul 31, 2012 - 10:49pm PT

Sending you many good vibes for healing Riley. So sorry you are having to go check this out. I am going to be monitoring this thread for the diagnosis. Big hug!