Pectoralis Tendon Tears

Pectoralis tendon tears often occur during heavy weightlifting, especially when performing a bench press with high weights or excessive stretching of the muscle. They can also result from direct trauma or a sudden, forceful movement of the arm.

Individuals with a pectoralis tendon tear may experience a sudden sharp pain in the chest or upper arm, often accompanied by a tearing or popping sensation. Symptoms also include swelling, bruising, muscle weakness, and an inability to bring the arm across the chest. A deformity in the chest wall may also be visible, with the bulk of the muscle shifting towards the armpit.

While minor partial tears may heal with non-surgical treatment such as rest, ice, and physical therapy, complete tears generally do not heal on their own and usually require surgical intervention for optimal function.

Diagnosis of a pectoralis tendon tear is typically made through a physical examination and confirmed with imaging studies. The doctor will evaluate the front of the chest for bruising, swelling, or deformity, and assess strength and range of motion. MRI scans can provide a detailed view of the injury and help determine the severity of the tear.

Pectoralis tendon tears can be partial, involving a tear in part of the tendon, or complete, where the tendon is completely separated from the bone. These injuries can also be categorized based on their location: muscle belly tears, musculotendinous junction tears, and tendon avulsion from the humerus.

Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the tear. Partial tears can often be treated non-surgically with rest, ice, pain medications, and a progressive physical therapy program. However, complete tears typically require surgery to reattach the tendon to the bone.

Individuals who have sustained a complete tear, especially those who require full strength for their occupational or recreational activities, are typically candidates for surgery. The timing of surgery can influence outcomes, with earlier intervention within a few weeks generally leading to better recovery.

Surgery involves reattaching the torn tendon to the arm bone using strong sutures or anchors. An incision is made near the armpit on the arm, and the torn tendon is found. It is then sutured and pulled into the anchors placed in the humerus bone.

Recovery from surgery involves a period of rest and immobilization, followed by a progressive physical therapy program to restore strength and flexibility. The exact timeline varies, but full recovery can take several months.