Conservative treatment of a proximal full-thickness biceps brachii muscle tear in a special operations soldier.

BACKGROUND: A transection of the short head of the biceps brachii muscle is an uncommon injury seen among outpatient sports physical therapy clinics. The highest rate of occurrence and the majority of literature that discusses this specific injury are related to US military parachuting. The purpose of this case report is to outline the episode of care from 2 days after the injury through 6 months of conservative treatment, which consisted of therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and cryotherapy, within an outpatient sports physical therapy clinic in a military setting.

CASE DESCRIPTION: This case report outlines the initial evaluation, diagnostic imaging, treatment, and 6-month follow-up measures for a 23-year-old male patient who sustained a static line injury resulting in a full-thickness tear of his biceps brachii muscle and a partial tear of the coracobrachialis muscle.

OUTCOMES: The individual described in this case report reported having no functional limitations in regard to his job and leisure activities or any pain at his 6-month follow-up, with a score of 0% noted on his Shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH). Isokinetic testing revealed a 39.1% decrease in elbow flexion peak torque and a 60.8% decrease in elbow flexion total work output at this same follow-up interval.

DISCUSSION: In determining the appropriate course of treatment for this injury type, conservative physical therapy intervention should be considered as a viable treatment option, as there have been no decisive studies to suggest superior outcomes with other methods such as surgical correction. It is further recommended that research be conducted in an effort to prevent such injuries from occurring, as this mechanism of injury has proven to be much higher among the US military population compared with other military populations.