Distal Biceps Repair — Distal Biceps Tendon Repair

Sutter Health / Palo Alto Medical Foundation · Kevin Roth MD

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Splint 1 wk; hinged brace locked 90° (unlocked 30-130° for ROM); active extension limit 30° → 20° (wk 3) → 10° (wk 4) → full (wk 5); brace d/c at 6 weeks; full weights at 3 months; heavy work up to 6 months

Timeline & Phases

Phase I (wks 0-3): Post-op splint 1 wk → hinged brace locked 90° (unlocked 30-130° for ROM exercises); passive ROM 30-130° 5-6x/day, full forearm supination/pronation, shoulder/wrist/hand exercises, edema/scar management; Phase II (wks 3-6): Hinged brace except exercise/hygiene — Wk 3: active ext limit 20°, passive flex to full, active wrist flex/ext, supination/pronation pain-free; Wk 4: active ext limit 10°, putty 3x/day, gentle pulley (ext limited to 10°); Wk 5: full active extension, supine scapula stabilization no weight; Wk 6: passive ext stretching as needed, light strengthening (tubing/1 kg) elbow flex/ext, forearm rotation, wrist flex/ext, shoulder theraband, supine scapula stabilization 1 kg; Phase III (wk 6 to 6 months): d/c brace, gradual strength program to full weights at 3 months, continue ROM, heavy work up to 6 months

Notes

Active elbow extension progressively unlocked wks 3-5 (30°→20°→10°→full); full weights at 3 months; heavy work may take up to 6 months

Surgeon / Author

Kevin Roth MD

Published

2024