A torn distal biceps tendon can take away the strength you rely on to lift, carry, turn a doorknob or grip a barbell. Distal biceps repair is a surgical procedure that reattaches the torn tendon to the radius bone in your forearm, restoring both elbow bending strength and the ability to rotate your palm upward. Because a complete tear pulls back over time, a prompt evaluation keeps the most options open. Dr. Jaz sees patients at his offices in Los Angeles near Beverly Hills, Westlake Village and Orange, with virtual visits available.
Reza Jazayeri, MD, is a double board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician who has performed hundreds of distal biceps repairs, including for fellow surgeons, medical colleagues and competitive athletes. He earned his medical degree at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and trained in sports medicine at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles. He also knows this injury from the patient’s side, having torn the distal biceps in his own operating arm.
What Is a Distal Biceps Tendon Tear?
The biceps muscle has two tendons at the shoulder and a single tendon at the elbow, which attaches to a bump on the radius called the radial tuberosity. This distal tendon powers two key movements:
- Elbow Flexion: Bending the arm to lift and carry.
- Forearm Supination: Rotating the palm upward, as when turning a key or a screwdriver.
Most distal biceps tears happen when a bent elbow is suddenly forced straight under load, such as catching a heavy object, lifting, pulling or grappling. They are most common in men between 30 and 60. Tears at the shoulder end of the biceps are a different injury, covered on the biceps tendon injuries page.
Confirming the Tear Before Surgery
Most patients feel a pop at the front of the elbow, followed by bruising and weakness when bending or rotating the arm, and the full list of symptoms is covered on the distal biceps tendon injuries page. Before recommending repair, Dr. Jazayeri confirms the tear with an exam and MRI, which shows whether it is partial or complete and how far the tendon has pulled back, two details that shape the surgical plan.
A Surgeon Who’s Been on the Other Side of the Table
Dr. Jaz knows this injury personally, not just from the operating room. While playing on the gymnastic rings with his daughter, he felt the sudden pop that many of his patients describe. He had torn his own distal biceps tendon, in his operating arm, the arm his career depends on, and he needed surgery.
That experience gave him a patient’s view of everything you may be feeling right now: the worry about losing strength, the questions about recovery and the uncertainty about getting back to work, sport and family life. When it came time for his own repair, he chose the same fixation technique he uses for his high-level athletes, and that option is available to you.
“I’ve been the patient. I know what it means to worry whether your arm will ever feel the same. I treat every patient’s repair the way I wanted mine done.” — Dr. Reza Jazayeri
Common Concerns: Surgery or Non-Surgical Care?
Non-surgical treatment may be appropriate for partial or low-grade tears, for patients with lower physical demands and for patients whose medical conditions make surgery riskier. For complete tears, however, studies show that non-operative care often leaves a lasting loss of forearm rotation strength, elbow bending strength and endurance, which matters most for people who lift, work with their hands or play sports.
For partial tears with ongoing pain or weakness, ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections may be considered alongside physical therapy. Evidence for these biologic injections is still developing, and Dr. Jazayeri will explain where they may help and where surgery is the more reliable option.
For complete tears in active patients, surgical reattachment is the standard of care, and repairs done within the first few weeks are generally more straightforward than delayed repairs.
Dr. Jazayeri’s Bio-Enhanced Distal Biceps Repair
His approach combines strong mechanical fixation with biologic support to restore strength and durability, especially for athletes, lifters and patients needing revision surgery.
- Dual Fixation: A low-profile cortical button and interference screw anchor the tendon securely to the bone, offering strong fixation during early rehab, when the repair is under the most stress.
- High-Strength Sutures: Specialized sutures help reduce the risk of early failure and support safe, protected motion.
- Acellular Dermal Matrix Reinforcement: For worn, retracted or chronic tears and revisions, a collagen scaffold graft can thicken the repair, hold sutures securely and allow your own cells to grow into it.
- Allograft Augmentation: When a chronic tear has retracted too far for the tendon to reach the bone, donor tissue can bridge the gap.
- Orthobiologic Support: PRP or BMAC may be applied at the time of surgery as part of the Bio-Fertilization™ Protocol to support the healing environment. These are used alongside a strong repair, never in place of it.
Watch: Distal Biceps Repair with Arthrex® Tension Slide
Like any surgery, distal biceps repair carries risks, including infection, stiffness, irritation of the nerves around the elbow, extra bone formation and re-rupture. Dr. Jazayeri reviews these with you before surgery.
What to Expect During Recovery
Dr. Jazayeri’s recovery protocol is structured and individualized:
- Early Protection: A splint or brace protects the repair, with controlled, gentle motion started early.
- Progressive Therapy: Physical therapy, in person and digitally guided through his recovery program, gradually restores motion and then strength.
- Nutritional Optimization: Targeted amino acid support through his perioperative nutrition protocol helps limit muscle loss and support collagen production.
- Return to Activity: Most patients regain functional strength and return to activity within three to six months, while heavy lifting may take longer depending on the tear and your goals.
Lifters can find related injuries on the bodybuilder injuries page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Distal Biceps Repair
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It is a surgery that reconnects a torn biceps tendon to the radius bone in your forearm, usually after a complete tear from heavy lifting or a sudden forceful movement.
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Dr. Jazayeri typically uses a single incision at the front of the elbow, securing the tendon with a cortical button and interference screw for strong fixation during early rehab.
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Most patients return to activity within three to six months, depending on the tear and personal goals. The first weeks focus on protection and gentle motion.
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You will wear a splint or brace for several weeks, then progress through physical therapy from gentle motion to strengthening.
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The tendon pulls back and degenerates over time. Early evaluation keeps the most surgical options available and can make repair simpler.
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Often, yes. Dr. Jazayeri treats chronic and revision cases using graft reinforcement or allograft when needed, and offers second opinions for patients weighing their options.
Why Choose Dr. Jaz for Distal Biceps Repair
- Personal Experience With This Injury: A surgeon who has had his own distal biceps repaired and understands the patient’s side of recovery.
- High-Volume Surgical Experience: Hundreds of distal biceps repairs, including for surgeons, medical colleagues and competitive athletes.
- Bio-Enhanced Technique: Dual fixation with biologic and graft reinforcement when the tissue needs it.
- Sports Medicine Training: Kerlan-Jobe fellowship training and double board certification in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine.
- Three Southern California Offices: Appointments in Los Angeles, Westlake Village and Orange, plus virtual consultations.
Meet Dr. Reza Jazayeri
Dr. Reza Jazayeri specializes in sports medicine with expertise in shoulder, knee, and elbow injuries. A Southern California native, Dr. Jazayeri combines an engineering background with elite surgical training, completing his orthopedic surgery residency at the nationally ranked NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and a sports medicine fellowship at the renowned Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic.
After more than 15 years caring for patients within the Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Dr. Jazayeri joined DOCS Health to expand a practice focused on personalized orthopedic and sports medicine care and surgical excellence. As Director of Longevity at DOCS Health, he leads the development and implementation of optimization protocols and regenerative medicine strategies designed to improve long-term musculoskeletal health and extend healthspan.
His published work includes a 2026 coauthored review of nutritional optimization in spine surgery in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. View Dr. Jazayeri’s research publications and training.
Thank you so much Doctor Jazayeri! I tore my Bicep recently, I needed to have the surgery right away, Doctor Jazayeri made time to get me on schedule right away. While meeting with me before surgery he discovered the possibility of rotator cuff damage and asked if I would like him to fix any damage if he found it nessary. I agreed and he not only fixed my bicep but also my rotator cuff. I’m about 8 weeks into my recovery and I feel great. I can’t believe how fast I’ve recovered and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate Doctor Jazayeri. Thank you again for all you have done for me.
Schedule Distal Biceps Repair in Los Angeles
If you felt a pop at the elbow and have weakness bending or rotating your arm, early evaluation can make a difference. Dr. Jazayeri sees patients at DOCS Health in Los Angeles, just minutes from Beverly Hills, as well as in Westlake Village and Orange. Schedule a consultation to learn which treatment path is right for your arm.
This page is for general educational purposes and does not replace an individual medical evaluation. Outcomes vary by patient and injury.
Medically reviewed by Reza Jazayeri, M.D. on
