Flex Lewis - Full Tendon Tear off the Bone

[njflex]

i guess his gym is making a lot of $$$..seems like cool bloke,i guess open mro is not in the cards anymore,he could have been top 5 guy i think.

[oldtimer1]

True it makes it much more likely. However, and I haven't checked data, biceps tears don't seem that uncommon in the general population. I was surprised to hear that many people knew someone who had this happen. Regular folks. Most aren't even recommended surgery even with a full tear which is what I had, I was discouraged too.

I tore mine lifting a welding machine with my moddle finger, there was like a loop at the bottom, over a door sill. And I've been paranoid about this exact injury for like 25 years.

Achilles tears don't seem that uncommon either, everyone seems to know someone.
My surgeon was mad because I was rehabbing with too light weights, said at 12 weeks post op I was supposed to be back at full strength. "But I thought I was supposed to be careful?" "No we are not aiming at getting back some function, we are aiming at getting back full strength. As long as you don't yank the weights you are fine." Now at 2 years post I'm not back at full strength still, but that's just because I haven't been training enough.

The way it was explained to me since it was 5 days after the rupture the tendon will grow back into the bone. He sewed it back with mental anchors.  The anchors need to set as well as the tendon growing back to the insertion. I really had no strength in the arm for awhile and I think it was 6 weeks till I got the go ahead to rehab. I went to a rehab place and and did a ton of stuff on my own.  I remember my first pull up. I though it would rip out. Around the six month point I deadlifted 405 to see if it would hold and it did. I told the orthopedic surgeon and he said, "What are you trying to do? Ruin my work?"  The operation was a long time ago and it held up. I've done jui jitsu and plenty of heavy lifting. The bicep looks a little off but in no way am I a bodybuilder so I don't care.  I gave up jui jitsu after six months because the thought of guys yanking on my arm to get an arm bar freaked me out. I don't want to go through that again.

[longtimereader]

True it makes it much more likely. However, and I haven't checked data, biceps tears don't seem that uncommon in the general population. I was surprised to hear that many people knew someone who had this happen. Regular folks. Most aren't even recommended surgery even with a full tear which is what I had, I was discouraged too.

I tore both distal bicep tendons about a year apart. First one I got surgery on, second one I left torn because I didn't want to go through the recovery process again (my recovery was unusually long, surgery took 5 hours instead of 1.5 it should have taken)

Tore both in pretty bad falls mountain bike riding landing on stretched out arm


About 3 years now after the second tear and there is a 10% difference in strength between repaired vs left torn.

Surgery risks far outweigh benefits IMO based on my experience. Biceps don't do much for strength/function.

[longtimereader]

The way it was explained to me since it was 5 days after the rupture the tendon will grow back into the bone. He sewed it back with mental anchors.  The anchors need to set as well as the tendon growing back to the insertion. I really had no strength in the arm for awhile and I think it was 6 weeks till I got the go ahead to rehab. I went to a rehab place and and did a ton of stuff on my own.  I remember my first pull up. I though it would rip out. Around the six month point I deadlifted 405 to see if it would hold and it did. I told the orthopedic surgeon and he said, "What are you trying to do? Ruin my work?"  The operation was a long time ago and it held up. I've done jui jitsu and plenty of heavy lifting. The bicep looks a little off but in no way am I a bodybuilder so I don't care.  I gave up jui jitsu after six months because the thought of guys yanking on my arm to get an arm bar freaked me out. I don't want to go through that again.

It took me about a year post op for the arm to be pain free / no more fear of the surgery spot ripping out like you felt.

Arm that I did not get surgery on was back to normal activity next day since I knew this is as bad as it'll get, its already torn can't make it worse, use it like nothing happened. All pain went away in a couple weeks and everything tightened up once the tendon healed onto whatever it was near

[longtimereader]

Torn and repaired arm photos, surgery scar circled.

I haven't touched weights in 5 years so don't laugh at my skinny arms. Were 23" at one point

[Van_Bilderass]

I tore both distal bicep tendons about a year apart. First one I got surgery on, second one I left torn because I didn't want to go through the recovery process again (my recovery was unusually long, surgery took 5 hours instead of 1.5 it should have taken)

Tore both in pretty bad falls mountain bike riding landing on stretched out arm


About 3 years now after the second tear and there is a 10% difference in strength between repaired vs left torn.

Surgery risks far outweigh benefits IMO based on my experience. Biceps don't do much for strength/function.

For me, I already had very short biceps to begin with, looked torn, so for me the 1.5 inches I gained back with the surgery, was well worth it. I kinda knew function would come back without it and the surgeons said that as well.

[Irongrip400]

Ive always thought that people who train or workout while on vacation are ridiculous.

I go on several vacations a year but in between those vacations  I never miss a workout and probably maintain my diet around 90%, even "cheat days" are scheduled.

So when I go on vacation it is to thoroughly enjoy myself,  get piss drunk, stay out all night, hangout on the beach all day, steady diet of rum and cokes etc... not to go through a half assed workout while hungover at the hotel gym.

When we go to the Caribbean we typically do long walks or hikes but not actually working out. I am swimming and playing with my kids so I’m typically doing activity anyway. I do however, like you, get after it. Wake up 7 drink coffee and read the paper. Either cook breakfast or walk somewhere. Then a steady stream of beer and food from noon until about 8:30 when I go to bed.

[Grape Ape]

It is rumored flex crash dieted for this vacation and tried various substances to make up for his lack of cardio and diet.

[Rambone]

It is rumored flex crash dieted for this vacation and tried various substances to make up for his lack of cardio and diet.

Cite your sources…….NOW!!!!

[Gym Rat]

Might have been hanging around Prime Caulk Sukkers glory-hole...

Lewis says he was trying to watch the Ryan Garcia boxing match weeks ago when the accident occurred.
He was using the restroom inside of a stall, however, the latches to lock the door weren’t operational.
He held it with his arm and a man tried to kick in the door to use the restroom.
As a result, Lewis’ arm took the brunt of the force, which resulted in the tricep injury.

[joswift]

Might have been hanging around Prime Caulk Sukkers glory-hole...

Lewis says he was trying to watch the Ryan Garcia boxing match weeks ago when the accident occurred.
He was using the restroom inside of a stall, however, the latches to lock the door weren’t operational.
He held it with his arm and a man tried to kick in the door to use the restroom.
As a result, Lewis’ arm took the brunt of the force, which resulted in the tricep injury.
He also claimed he slipped and fell on a shopping bag which resulted in a ketchup bottle getting stuck up his ass.

fixed

[GymnJuice]

True it makes it much more likely. However, and I haven't checked data, biceps tears don't seem that uncommon in the general population. I was surprised to hear that many people knew someone who had this happen. Regular folks. Most aren't even recommended surgery even with a full tear which is what I had, I was discouraged too.

I've known two people do this water skiing.

[Taffin]

I wouldn't assume it happened in the gym. Bodybuilders are always tearing stuff doing mundane things like arguing with an ex with a car door in the way. Flex could have gone water skiing or something and torn it.

With regards to working out on a vacation, I like checking out a local gym or even a hotel gym and trying new machines. Good place to checkout the local booty too. Wouldn't bother with a serious workout or anything, just get the blood moving. Maybe do that twice if I was on a week's long break.

Also I'm past the stage of thinking soreness after a workout is a good thing. Those couple of workouts during a vacation keep the body in check for when I get back into it after the break.

[Dave D]

Torn and repaired arm photos, surgery scar circled.

I haven't touched weights in 5 years so don't laugh at my skinny arms. Were 23" at one point

How’d you tear it? And why did you stop lifting

[longtimereader]

How’d you tear it? And why did you stop lifting

Both times mountain bike riding, fell on outstretched arm.

Stopped bodybuilding after mcarver and piana dropped dead, I was in middle of show prep weighing 290lbs and decided wasn't worth the health risks.

Now I ride bikes for excersise

[Dave D]

Both times mountain bike riding, fell on outstretched arm.

Stopped bodybuilding after mcarver and piana dropped dead, I was in middle of show prep weighing 290lbs and decided wasn't worth the health risks.

Now I ride bikes for excersise

Just so you know nothing is safe. Ex NBA player Shawn Bradley was paralyzed riding a bike
Piano died from party drugs.

Crazy that you tore the bicep while not lifting.
All jk aside good for you man. Stay healthy.