Popeye muscle can you workout with it

Jim Kelly, I assume you are speaking of a torn tendon or tendons of the of the bicep. I have experienced a complete separation in my left bicep and one of the two tendons and the right bicep. Since the complete tear in the left I can do curls in the gym but at a lighter weight and I cannot do anything with right arm as it knots up. That is what years in the gym do for you. I'm 80 years old and very active still work out in the gym but avoid bicep curls and things of that nature. The tendon can be reattached if it has not been too long, I think. So so if it has just happened and you want to have it reattached you better do something ASAP. Good luck

Thanks for the reply
I actually tore both tendons away from the bone
The surgery reattached tendons but the muscle ruptured and became a Popeye muscle
I can’t pick up a carton of milk off the kitchen counter and return it to refrigerator
If I try to exercise my left arm the muscle locks up
Similar to a Charlie-horse in the leg
I’m afraid to do curls or push-ups don’t want to make arm worse
Should I try or leave well enough alone?
Thanks again for the reply

Jim, your symptoms sound real familiar. I thought about having mine reattached but after reconsidering my age I decided there were some things I just wouldn't do anymore and I would do what I could. While it is aggravating not to be able to do what you have always done I guess I have to live with what I've got left. It seems to be working out. Good luck to you.

At 71 I tore the long tendon on my right biceps, that was Aug 2023. I was advised by one surgeon to just ignore it, but was uncomfortable with that so spoke to another surgeon in the same clinic. He was more supporting and agreed with me that with my level of activity it was a good idea to have it reattached. I own 20 acres and am out every day working around the place, in fact I tore the tendon trying to push a large tree limb into the chipper. I was out of action for about 4 weeks after the surgery and had PT for 8 weeks. I still have a bit of a bulge on that arm but have no problems being back to work around the property and doing bicep curls at a reasonable weight like 20 or 25 lbs. Really happy with the results.

Hi Jim,

Sorry about your biceps problem. I had my left shoulder replaced (anatomical) 2 months ago. I'm a 71 y/o male and very active at the gym. During the surgery, the Dr detached the tendon of the long biceps (to get access to the joint), and did not reattach it after the joint replacement.

I questioned him about why it wasn't reattached, and he said historically there is little difference in function whether the tendon is reattached (tendonesis) or left detached (tenotomy). The tendon for the small biceps can carry the day.

However, I have what is described as a "Popeye deformity" - caused by detachment of the long biceps tendon during shoulder replacement. It's hardly noticeable and other than some early spasms, feels fine. I am back to doing biceps curls, slowly increasing weigh - currently at 10 lbs, 2 sets of 10 reps each. Feels fine.

I'm a little surprised that you describe a biceps tear causing the Popeye bulge, and an inability to do weight bearing exercises on that arm. It sounds more like a tear of the biceps muscle (and not a popeye deformity), which may require surgical attention or more conservative methods - pain meds, ice, compression sleeve, and on. Or the long biceps tendon may have ruptured, but in time, you'd be able to lift a bottle of milk, soI think the problem is with the muscle, not the tendon.

I'd get it checked out with your Dr. This may not be a permanent thing for you.

Best of luck Jim.

Joe

@heyjoe415

@jimkellyog
Hi Joe
My Popeye muscle is due to muscle rupturing post surgery
Dr attached my tendons
The next day I felt like something snapped in my shoulder
Dr said all was well but after 2-3 months of physical therapy I’m still unable to lift a jug of milk to put in refrigerator

Thanks for your thoughtful response Jim, and I'm truly sorry for what has happened to you.

What was the nature of the surgery? I had an anatomical total shoulder replacement, and my surgeon detached the tendon of the long bicep and did not reattach, so I have the popeye bulge. I don't have huge arms and while I'm only 2.5 months post-op, I can curl 10 lbs and lift stuff like a jug of milk or water.

Its sure sounds like more needs to be done. After 2-3 months of PT you should have around 50% of your strength back (that's for a shoulder replacement).

Anyway let me know what surgery you had. And what does your PT say about not regaining strength?

All the best to you Jim.

Joe

Hi @sdb1

I'm very happy you had your biceps tendon repaired and are able to curl 20-25 lbs. I'm 2.5 months post shoulder replacement and am currently at 10 lbs, 30 reps/day. Pretty good really.

I do have the popeye bulge. The tendon was worn down and ragged from all the osteophytes in my shoulder. The Dr severed it during surgery and did not reattach. There were a number of reasons, but he would have had to reattach it lower on the humerus (sounds like that's what you had done), and it was unlikely to "take".

The bulge you have is probably from where the tendon was reattached - very likely lower than it's original attachment, which would cause some retraction of the long biceps.

If you're happy with the results, that's all that matters.

Joe