title: Pectoralis major injuries: evaluation and treatment.
abstract: PM tears most commonly occur in the young athletic male while performing weight-lifting exercises, but can result from any activity whereby the arm is maximally contracted in an extended and externally rotated position. Patients typically present with acute pain, swelling, ecchymosis, deformity, and weakness with adduction and internal rotation. Diagnosis of PM tears can usually be made by history and physical examination, but MRI can be helpful in identifying the extent and location of injury. Most tears occur near the tendon insertion. Nonoperative treatment is generally reserved for proximal tears, low-grade partial tears, and tears in sedentary patients. In most cases these patients will resume full activities of daily living. For all other tears, especially in the young, active athlete, acute (<6 weeks) repair is recommended to return the patient to full strength and function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Keller Army Community Hospital, Building 900, West Point, NY 10996, USA. Electronic address: chad.a.haley.mil@mail.mil.
authors.forename: Chad A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Haley
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Womack Army Medical Center, 2817 Reilly Road, Fort Bragg, NC 28310, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Zacchilli
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008889:Military Personnel; D010369:Pectoralis Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012421:Rupture; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013710:Tendons / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014891:Weight Lifting / Q000293:injuries
keywords: Cortical button; Pectoralis major muscle; Tendon repair; Tendon rupture; Tendon tear