I would not say "always" but if I was betting my life savings on it I would say, yes its prob torn. Why else would it be shorter? I held on to positive thinking for days...had one friend convince me it was just a huge hematoma which was forcing my bicep north (toward my shoulder). I was feeling good going into my MRI. Then I was slapped with a dose of reality. Complete distal biceps detachment that would require surgery asap. 6 weeks immobile (casted). 6 weeks in a sling. After 12 weeks I got to start rehab but no direct biceps work. Instead it was stuff like squeezing a racquetball, rotating my hand in order to increase R.O.M. and non-loading stretches. After 14 weeks I got to start using bands. I am now at 16 weeks and I am training with weights, but very light. NOTE: I hammered legs the entire time, but just started using my injured side for upper body.