Korean J Sports Med.  2015 Jun;33(1):40-44. 10.5763/kjsm.2015.33.1.40.

Rupture of the Pectoralis Major Muscle during Exercise

• Lee BI
• Kim BM
• Kwon SW
• Chun DI

• KMID: 2054040
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2015.33.1.40

Abstract

Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle may occur in youngers or athletes associated with extreme sports, especially during the weight training. It is uncommon, but the incidence is increased by the recent growth of athletic population. In young active individuals, ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle have the best results after surgical repair. However, if diagnosis of the pectoralis major muscle rupture is missed or delayed, the patient will be limited to return to sport activity. The object of this paper is to report our experience of pectoralis major muscle rupture in 3 cases.

Keyword

Pectoralis major; Repair; Tendon

MeSH Terms

Athletes
Diagnosis
Humans
Incidence
Rupture*
Sports
Tendons

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) Clinical photograph of the patient before the operation. Note the asymmetric absent anterior axillary fold and swelling and ecchymosis on the affected (right) side. (B) Axial T2-weighted fat suppression magnetic resonance image at the level of the proximal humerus. The pectoralis major tendon is detached medially from the normal insertion site and attenuated (arrow). Adjacent area of white arrow reflect hematoma.

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  Fig. 2. Operative photograph. The pectoralis major tendon is completely ruptured from lateral lip of bicipital groove. The stumps of pectoralis major tendons are delaminated. Posterior laminar is retracted medially more than anterior laminar.

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  Fig. 3. Clinical image. At 1 month after surgery, the axillary fold was restored and the tendon of pectoralis major muscle was palpated directly.

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  Fig. 4. (A) Clinical photograph of the patient before the operation. Note the asymmetric absent anterior axillary fold on the affected (left) side. (B) Axial T2-weighted fat suppression magnetic resonance image at the level of the proximal humerus. The pectoralis major tendon is detached medially from the normal insertion site and attenuated (white arrows). Adjacent area of white arrow reflect fatty infiltration.

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  Fig. 5. Operative photograph. The pectoralis major tendon is completely ruptured from lateral lip of bicipital groove. The stumps are grasped with 3 pairs of No. 2 Ethibond suture.

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