What is the “Popeye” sign?
A sign of rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon. The patient reports a sudden, painful, and audible snap, associated with (1) retraction of the biceps belly toward the elbow and (2) bulging over the anterior upper arm —as in the cartoon character “Popeye.” In the elderly, this may occasionally result from trauma. Otherwise, it is usually due to long-standing tendinitis. Hence, it is preceded by a long history of shoulder pain, quickly resolving with a painful snap.
A sign of rupture of the long head of the biceps tendon. The patient reports a sudden, painful, and audible snap, associated with (1) retraction of the biceps belly toward the elbow and (2) bulging over the anterior upper arm —as in the cartoon character “Popeye.” In the elderly, this may occasionally result from trauma. Otherwise, it is usually due to long-standing tendinitis. Hence, it is preceded by a long history of shoulder pain, quickly resolving with a painful snap.