Biceps Tenodesis Rehabilitation Protocols

13 Biceps Tenodesis rehabilitation protocols from 13 institutions, published 2020–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.

Compare by institution

Institution	Weight-Bearing	Key Restrictions
Dr. Michael C. Fu MD (Hospital for Special Surgery)	N/A	Sling 4 weeks; no active elbow flexion or supination for 6 weeks; no active biceps resistance until cleared…
iOrtho	Sling per surgeon; wean starting wk 3	No AROM elbow or shoulder wks 1-4; no shoulder ER >40 deg; no shoulder extension past neutral; no lifting; no…
Lahey Hospital & Medical Center — (Long Head of Biceps)	N/A	Sling for comfort 0-6 wks; no active elbow flexion or resisted supination 0-6 wks; no biceps strengthening…
Massachusetts General Hospital	Sling per surgeon; no AROM shoulder or elbow Phase I (wks 1-4)	ER limited to 40 deg Phase I; no AROM elbow or shoulder Phase I (wks 1-4); no biceps/resisted elbow flexion…
NYU Langone Health	N/A	Sling 0-4 wks; elbow PROM/AAROM/AROM without resistance 0-4 wks (allows tendon to heal into humerus); no…
Orthopaedic Associates of Maine	FWB; sling 3-6 weeks per MD; may do bike/walking with sling on	Avoid biceps tension for 6 weeks; limit ER to 40° and avoid extension/horizontal abduction past neutral for 4…
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)	Strict sling x4 wks Phase I; sling fully discontinued Phase II	No lifting >12 oz and no biceps tension (avoid long arm flexion, resisted supination/elbow flexion, ER past…
SOMOS (Society of Military Orthopaedic Surgeons)	N/A (Upper Extremity)	Sling except rehab x2 wks, wean by 4 wks; no resistance shoulder ABD/FLEX x4 wks; no active elbow flex or…
UCLA Department of Orthopaedic Surgery - Sports Medicine	N/A (upper extremity)	Sling x 4 wks; no active ROM on land Phase I; avoid supination in grip exercises Phase I; PROM elevation to…
University of Colorado Anschutz (CU)	—	No active bicep exercises x 4 wks; no lifting/pushing/pulling until wks 4-5; resistance <2 lbs until wk 10…
University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine	N/A (upper extremity)	Sling x 2 weeks; no resisted elbow flexion or supination until week 12; ER limited to 30 degrees x 4 weeks
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery — (Isolated)	NWB surgical UE	Sling 3-4 weeks (surgeon-determined); sleep in sling first 3 weeks; avoid resisted elbow flexion/forearm…
UW Health Sports Medicine	N/A (shoulder surgery)	Sling 1-2 weeks (surgeon-specific); minimize biceps tension 4-12 weeks (varies by surgeon); no resisted…