title: Traumatic Avulsion of the Serratus Anterior Muscle in a Collegiate Rower: A Case Report.
abstract: A 19-year-old female collegiate rower presented with a new, painful mass along her right anterolateral chest wall after competition. The patient was diagnosed with a rupture of the serratus anterior muscle from its costal attachments, as confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging. The patient fully recovered after a period of rest followed by a graduated 2-month physical therapy regimen consisting of stretching and scapulothoracic and core strengthening. A traumatic rupture of the serratus anterior muscle should be suspected in athletes who present with a painful chest wall mass after exertion of large forces through the scapulothoracic region. Athletes can return to play after nonoperative management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: James B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Howard University, Washington, DC.
authors.forename: Quincy E
authors.initials: QE
authors.lastname: John
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Evan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rajadhyaksha
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Eric W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Carson
authors.affiliation: Department of Sports Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia.
authors.forename: Kelly L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Turney
keywords: rowing injuries; rowing mechanics; scapulothoracic rehabilitation; serratus anterior avulsion