Distal Biceps Repair Rehabilitation Protocols

15 Distal Biceps Repair rehabilitation protocols from 13 institutions, published 2010–2025. Weight-bearing progressions vary by institution — compare them in the table below before selecting a protocol.

Compare by institution

Institution	Weight-Bearing	Key Restrictions
Gundersen Health System (GLSM) — Distal Biceps Tendon Repair	N/A (upper extremity); no lifting or carrying on injured side Phase I	Posterior splint at 90 deg wk 0-1; hinged brace wk 1 at all times except bathing, HEP and PT, extension block…
iOrtho	Non-weight bearing on repaired UE; posterior orthosis at 90 deg days 0-5-7; hinged brace…	No active elbow flexion or forearm supination until wk 4; no lifting until wk 8; submaximal isometrics at wk…
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute	N/A (elbow) — brace locked at 90 deg neutral forearm x2-3 days, then extend 10 deg every…	Brace locked at 90 deg in neutral forearm x2-3 days; increase brace extension 10 deg every other day until…
Mammoth Orthopedic Institute	N/A (elbow) — brace locked at 90 deg neutral forearm x2-3 days, then extend 10 deg every…	Brace locked at 90 deg in neutral forearm x2-3 days; increase brace extension 10 deg every other day until…
Massachusetts General Hospital — Distal Biceps Tendon Repair	NWB on repaired UE until wk 8; WB progression wk 8 (elbow flexed) → wk 10 (elbow…	AVOID active elbow flexion and forearm supination until wk 4; no lifting with repaired UE until wk 8; NWB…
Mountain Orthopaedics — Single Incision Endo Button	N/A; elbow hinge brace blocking extension ~20 degrees wks 1-6	Elbow hinge brace blocking extension at ~20 degrees through wk 6; weight limit 5 lbs at wk 6; no progressive…
Orthopaedic Associates of Maine	FWB; elbow brace blocked at 45° wks 2-3	Brace blocked at 45° (wk 3: 30°) to full flexion wks 2-3; AROM extension only to -45° wks 2-3; passive…
Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Specialists (OSMS)	Posterior elbow splint at 90 deg, forearm neutral	Post-surgical splint 7 days, then hinged IROM brace unlocked 45 deg to full flexion progressing weekly (wk2…
Saint Louis University (SLUCare)	N/A	Posterior splint at 90 deg wk 1; elbow ROM brace wks 2-6 (progressing 45-100 to 15-130 deg); no active elbow…
Sanford Health — Distal Biceps Tendon Repair	N/A	Hinged elbow brace 6 wks (locked at 90 initially; early elbow extension limits per surgeon); no active elbow…
Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation — Distal Biceps…	N/A (upper extremity)	Splint 1 wk; hinged brace locked 90° (unlocked 30-130° for ROM); active extension limit 30° → 20° (wk 3) →…
University of Virginia Orthopaedic Surgery	NWB surgical arm	No active elbow flexion; nothing heavier than a cell phone initially; no resistance strengthening until 6…
UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter…	NWB surgical UE; posterior splint at 90° x 5–7 days; hinged Bledsoe brace with 50°…	No lifting/pushing/pulling >1–2 lbs involved UE phases I–IV; no WB involved UE; no strengthening until 8 wks…
UW Health Orthopedic Surgery; UnityPoint Health - Meriter…	NWB surgical UE; sling phases I–II except hygiene/exercises; 2 lb lifting restriction…	No lifting/pushing/pulling >2 lbs involved UE phases I–II; no lifting >5 lbs phase III; sling all times…
UW Health Sports Medicine	N/A (elbow surgery)	Splint at 90° neutral forearm 10-14 days; extension block set by surgeon based on repair tension, progressed…