Distal Biceps Repair

Orthopaedic Associates of Maine · Hoffman; Murray; Wolf

Weight-Bearing

FWB; elbow brace blocked at 45° wks 2-3

Key Restrictions

Brace blocked at 45° (wk 3: 30°) to full flexion wks 2-3; AROM extension only to -45° wks 2-3; passive supination with elbow at 90° only wks 2-3; discharge brace at wk 4 except at-risk situations; no progressive resisted exercise until wk 8; return to sport-specific at 12-14 wks

Timeline & Phases

Wks 2-3 (brace 45°→full flex, PROM, submaximal isometrics), Wk 4 (discharge brace, AAROM), Wk 5 (AROM all planes), Wks 6-8 (combined motions), Wk 8 (progressive resisted exercises), Wks 12-14 (sport-specific, throwing return)

Notes

ROM progression may be adjusted per surgeon assessment; throwing athletes can start return to throwing at 12-14 weeks; authored by Drs. Hoffman, Murray, and Wolf

Surgeon / Author

Hoffman; Murray; Wolf