National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

A patient with a severed right biceps tendon is likely to exhibit which of the following findings?

1. An increase in ROM and strength for elbow flexion

2. A decrease in strength and increase ROM for elbow flexion

3. A decrease in strength but no decrease in AROM for elbow flexion

4. A decrease in strength and AROM for elbow flexion

The correct answer is: A decrease in strength and AROM for elbow flexion

When a patient has a severed biceps tendon, it primarily affects the biceps muscle's ability to contract effectively and contribute to elbow flexion. The biceps brachii muscle is one of the primary flexors of the elbow; therefore, its injury would lead to a noticeable decrease in the strength of elbow flexion. The muscle directly pulls on the forearm via its tendon, so when the tendon is severed, the muscle cannot efficiently generate the force needed for flexion. Additionally, while the patient may still have some ability to flex at the elbow due to the actions of other muscles (like the brachialis and brachioradialis), the overall active range of motion (AROM) for elbow flexion can also be affected. The decrease in strength from the loss of the biceps’ effective pull may lead to compensatory mechanisms or difficulty achieving the same level of range of motion that was possible before the injury. In summary, a severed right biceps tendon results in a decrease in strength for elbow flexion due to the loss of muscle function and the potential for decreased active range of motion, particularly if the patient struggles to utilize compensatory muscles effectively. Thus, a decrease in both strength and AROM for