Q: I was doing biceps curls in the gym last week and felt a pop near my shoulder. I noticed a deformity above my elbow that made my arm look like Popeye's, and I also noticed some bruising and swelling in my arm. It is my left arm and I am right-handed. After researching it online, I think I probably have a biceps injury. Does it need to be fixed?

A: There are two biceps tendons in the shoulder region that come together to help form the biceps muscle. The longhead of the biceps tendon that runs through the shoulder joint is most commonly the one that ruptures. This usually results in a ``Popeye'' type deformity in the biceps muscle.

Although the deformity will be permanent, most patients with rehabilitation can regain approximately 90 percent of their biceps function and strength with nonsurgical treatment. High-level athletes or those who are bothered by the cosmetic deformity may elect to have surgical treatment of the biceps to correct deformity and weakness.

Occasionally this injury can also be associated with an injury to the rotator cuff tendon or superior labral cartilage of the shoulder itself.

I recommend that you see an orthopedic surgeon as quickly as possible to establish a correct diagnosis and determine which method of treatment is best for you.

Dr. Harlan Selesnick is in private practice in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine at Doctors Hospital in Coral Gables, and serves as team physician for the Miami Heat and Miami Dade College, among others. The Jock Doc column runs every other week.

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