Tendon ruptures about the shoulder

A case report of a rupture of the musculotendinous junction of the pectoralis major in an athlete

INTRODUCTION

The pectoralis major muscle (PM) is a large muscle on the anterior chest wall. The rupture of the PM is a rare entity in literature and most incidences had been reported frequently in weight lifting and contact sports. Acute repair of PM rupture yielded better outcome as compared to non-operative treatment in active individuals who wish to return to their sports.

CASE REPORT

We presented a case of a champion in bodybuilding who lifted a heavy weigh during his routine exercises, which caused a rupture in the musculotendinous junction of the left pectoralis major muscle.

DISCUSSION

As it is rare to meet ruptures in this site of pectoralis major, we decided to insert anchors into the humeral bone (as in avulsions and tendon's tears), and to duplicate the suturing levels in multiple directions (as in muscular belly ruptures).

CONCLUSION

Our aim here is to confirm that the rupture of the musculotendinous junction of the pectoralis major muscle is rare and difficult to deal, but the acute surgical treatment by inserting anchors into the humerus, and duplicating the suturing layers in multiple directions can give good results especially in athletes.

Treatment of Pectoralis Major Tendon Tears: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Operative and Nonoperative Treatment

Background:

The incidence of pectoralis major tendon tears is increasing, and repair is generally considered; however, a paucity of comparative data are available to demonstrate the superiority of operative treatment.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

The purpose of this study is to compare the outcomes of operative and nonoperative treatment of pectoralis major tendon tears. We hypothesized that repair would result in superior outcomes compared with nonoperative treatment.

Methods:

In accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, a systematic review of the literature was completed by use of MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Cochrane, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases. We included English-language studies that had a minimum of 6 months of average follow-up and 5 cases per study. The MINORS (Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies) was used to assess the quality of the existing literature. Meta-analysis of pooled mechanisms of injury and outcomes was completed. Pooled effect sizes were calculated from random-effects models. Continuous variables were assessed by use of mixed-model analysis, with the individual study designated as a random effect and the desired treatment for comparison as a fixed effect. Bivariate frequency data were transformed via the Freeman-Tukey log-linear transformation for variance stabilization and then assessed through use of a mixed model with a study level random effect and subsequently back-transformed. Significance was set at P < .05.

Results:

A total of 23 articles with 664 injuries met the inclusion criteria for comparison. All patients were male, with an average age of 31.48 years; 63.2% of injuries occurred during weight training, and the average follow-up was 37.02 months. Included studies had moderately high methodological quality. Operative treatment was significantly superior to nonoperative treatment, with relative improvements of functional outcome by 23.33% (0.70 improvement by Bak criteria which is scored 1-4; P = .027), full isometric strength 77.07% (P < .001), isokinetic strength 28.86% (P < .001) compared with the uninjured arm, cosmesis satisfaction 13.79% (P = .037), and resting deformity 98.85% (P < .001). The overall complication rate for operative treatment was 14.21%, including a 3.08% rate of rerupture.

Conclusion:

Pectoralis major tendon repair resulted in significantly superior outcomes compared with nonoperative treatment, with an associated 14.21% complication rate. Statistically significant improvements were noted in functional outcome, isokinetic strength, isometric strength, cosmesis, and resting deformity.

Pectoralis major transosseous equivalent repair with knotless anchors: Technical note and literature review

Introduction:

Rupture of the pectoralis major (PM) tendon was initially described almost 2 centuries ago, but most of the reported injuries have occurred within the last 30 years. Options for repair have varied widely. The most common methods for repair depend on either transosseous sutures or suture anchors for fixation. Transosseous suture repair allows for docking the tendon into a trough at its anatomic insertion, but risks cortical breakage during suture passing. Our experience has confirmed the value and potential advantages of anchors for a secure fixation.

Aims:

To describe a variation of repair using knotless suture anchors and a burred trough to dock the tendon into its anatomic insertion.

Conclusion:

We describe a technique of a transosseous equivalent PM repair technique. To our knowledge, this is the first paper describing such a repair technique for PM rupture.

Pectoralis major ruptures in professional American football players

BACKGROUND

Pectoralis major injuries are an infrequent shoulder injury that can result in pain, weakness, and deformity. These injuries may occur during the course of an athletic competition, including football. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of pectoralis major ruptures in professional football players and time lost from the sport following injury. We hypothesized that ruptures most frequently occur during bench-press strength training.

METHODS

The National Football League Injury Surveillance System was reviewed for all pectoralis major injuries in all players from 2000 to 2010. Details regarding injury setting, player demographics, method of treatment, and time lost were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 10 injuries-complete ruptures-were identified during this period. Five of the 10 were sustained in defensive players, generally while tackling. Nine occurred during game situations, and 1 occurred during practice. Specific data pertinent to the practice injury was not available. No rupture occurred during weight lifting. Eight ruptures were treated operatively, and 2 cases did not report the method of definitive treatment. The average days lost was 111 days (range, 42-189). The incidence was 0.004 pectoralis major ruptures during the 11-year study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Pectoralis major injuries are uncommon while playing football. In the National Football League, these injuries primarily occur not during practice or while bench pressing but rather during games. When pectoralis major ruptures do occur, they are successfully treated operatively. Surgery may allow for return to full sports participation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV, case series.

Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle: surgical treatment in athletes

Pectoralis major tendon rupture is a relatively rare injury, resulting from violent, eccentric contraction of the muscle. Over 50% of these injuries occur in athletes, classically in weight-lifters during the 'bench press' manoeuvre. We present 13 cases of distal rupture of the pectoralis major muscle in athletes. All patients underwent open surgical repair. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to confirm the diagnosis in all patients. The results were analysed using (1) the visual analogue pain score, (2) functional shoulder evaluation and (3) isokinetic strength measurements. At the final follow-up of 23.6 months (14-34 months), the results were excellent in six patients, good in six and one had a poor result. Eleven patients were able to return to their pre-injury level of sports. The mean time for a return to sports was 8.5 months. The intraoperative findings correlated perfectly with the reported MRI scans in 11 patients and with minor differences in 2 patients. We wish to emphasise the importance of accurate clinical diagnosis, appropriate investigations, early surgical repair and an accelerated rehabilitation protocol for the distal rupture of the pectoralis major muscle as this allows complete functional recovery and restoration of full strength of the muscle, which is essential for the active athlete.

Pectoralis major rupture in elderly patients: a clinical study of 13 patients

The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe circumstances and clinical aspects of pectoralis major rupture in elderly patients compared with younger patients. Eleven patients were nursing home residents and two were community residents. All had severe pain with a large pectoral ecchymosis extending to the lateral chest wall and arm. Twelve patients experienced substantial blood loss (average, 2.3 g/dL hemoglobin), which resulted in hemodynamic decompensation in two of the patients, necessitating a blood transfusion. The most probable mechanism of injury was indirect, caused by a brisk tearing movement applied to stiff, atrophic muscle during commonly used nursing procedures for transferring, positioning, and dressing the patients. The authors suspect this injury to be more common than reported. Although surgical repair is not required in the elderly, a proper diagnosis is imperative because the injury has a severe clinical impact necessitating care and followup.

Pectoralis major rupture in the elderly: clinical and sonographic findings

We describe clinical and sonographic features of pectoralis major rupture in the elderly, which is relatively rare and unknown. Patients presented with a large pectoral ecchymosis extending to the axilla, chest wall, breast and arm. The pectoral area was sensitive, sometimes with a visible and palpable defect in the axilla. Ultrasound examination showed a large hypoechoic, well-circumscribed structure representing a hematoma within the pectoralis major muscle, partially replacing the normal echo muscle pattern. Ultrasonography is a useful, low cost diagnostic tool, and is recommended in the investigation of pectoralis major rupture in the elderly.

Fractures and tendon injuries of the athletic shoulder

Athletic injuries in the shoulder range from a routine strain or sprain to a potentially disabling fracture or tendon rupture. The level of sports participation plays an important role in diagnosis and treatment. The nonprofessional athlete may be more likely to sustain injuries secondary to under-training or improper technique. The professional athlete may be capable of play under much higher velocities and applied loads and, therefore, may be subject to higher energy trauma than the amateur athlete. In addition to standard treatment considerations, return to play time must also be decided. Decisions regarding definitive treatment may be modulated depending on an athlete's desire to return to his or her previous level of competition.