From the Research
The biceps femoris is a muscle, not a tendon tear with retraction, and treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol) initially, followed by physical therapy to restore strength and flexibility, as seen in a case report where a patient achieved full functional recovery without medical attention, but had a persistent cosmetic deformity and slight hamstring tightness 1. When someone experiences a biceps femoris tear with retraction, it means the muscle itself has been torn and the torn ends have pulled away from each other (retracted). This type of injury commonly occurs during activities requiring explosive movements or sudden acceleration, such as sprinting. Some key points to consider in the treatment of biceps femoris tears include:
- The use of nonoperative management for myotendinous tears, which may be associated with decreased strength, prolonged recovery, and recurrence 1
- The importance of proper rehabilitation to prevent recurrence and restore full function to the hamstring muscle group
- The potential for surgical intervention to reattach the torn muscle ends in severe tears with significant retraction
- The variation in recovery time based on tear severity, ranging from weeks for minor tears to months for complete tears requiring surgery It is also worth noting that the majority of cases of isolated distal biceps femoris tears or avulsions are treated surgically, with successful return to sport at preinjury levels, and no significant difference in return to sport based on injury location or severity 2. However, the most recent and highest quality study on this topic is from 2021, which provides a diagnosis and treatment algorithm for distal biceps tendon tears, emphasizing the importance of high clinical suspicion, routine physical examination, and appropriate special examination tests for proper and timely diagnosis 3.