Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

iOrtho

Weight-Bearing

Non-weight bearing on repaired UE; posterior orthosis at 90 deg days 0-5-7; hinged brace progressively unlocking wks 2-6; begin gradual WB at wk 8 (elbow flexed), extended elbow by wk 10

Key Restrictions

No active elbow flexion or forearm supination until wk 4; no lifting until wk 8; submaximal isometrics at wk 10; bilateral plyometrics after wk 16; single arm plyometrics after wks 20-22

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (Days 0-1 immediate), Phase II (Wks 2-6 intermediate), Phase III (Wks 7-10 late), Phase IV (Wks 11-15 transitional), Phase V (Months 4-6 early RTS), Phase VI (Months 6+ unrestricted RTS)

Notes

Hinged brace extension progressively unlocked wks 2-6 (90 deg → 45 → 30 → 20 → D/C); outcomes affected by suture materials; KJOC assessment for discharge

Published

August 2024