Distal Biceps Repair — Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

Massachusetts General Hospital · MGH Sports Medicine

Weight-Bearing

NWB on repaired UE until wk 8; WB progression wk 8 (elbow flexed) → wk 10 (elbow extended); no lifting until wk 8

Key Restrictions

AVOID active elbow flexion and forearm supination until wk 4; no lifting with repaired UE until wk 8; NWB until wk 8; hinged brace extension progressively released weekly (wk 2: 90-full, wk 3: 45-full, wk 4: 30-full, wk 5: 20-full, wk 6: D/C brace)

Timeline & Phases

6 phases: Phase I (0-1 wk, posterior splint 90 deg, grip strengthening only), Phase II (2-6 wks, hinged brace extension serially released; PROM wk 2; AROM begins wk 4), Phase III (7-10 wks, WB begins wk 8, composite ROM, scapulothoracic strength), Phase IV (11-15 wks, submaximal isometrics at wk 10 → isotonic biceps/supination wks 10-12; shoulder strengthening), Phase V (4-6 months, bilateral UE plyometrics after wk 16; single-arm after wks 20-22), Phase VI (6+ months, sport-specific; interval throwing program)

Notes

Revised 10/2021; serial hinged brace extension release weekly; no active elbow flexion/supination until wk 4; WB progresses from elbow flexed (wk 8) to extended (wk 10); throwing discharge criteria: ER/IR ratio 72-76%, KJOC throwers score; physician clearance required. [Archived copy — original Massachusetts General Hospital URL retired in the Mass General Brigham site migration; Wayback snapshot 2026-07-30.]

Surgeon / Author

MGH Sports Medicine

Published

October 2021