Treatment of Torn Pectoral Muscle
- R. I. C. E. The RICE technique should be done for the first 2 days. ...
- Surgery. A surgical procedure is usually advised to repair the torn pectoral muscle in order to the full strength of the muscle.
- Recovery Time. After undergoing the procedure, the patient is advised to wear a sling for about 3-6 weeks. ...
How long does a torn pectoral take to heal?
Sep 17, 2016 · Pectoral tendons are usually ruptured or torn in weight lifters during bench pressing. Traumatic injuries in sports can also result in a pec tendon tear. Surgery is often needed to repair complete pec tears. The recovery after surgery often means that this is a season-ending injury. A torn pectoral tendon is usually an easy diagnosis to make.
Why you should pay more attention to your pectoral muscles?
Apr 15, 2022 · An ice pack may be used to relieve torn pectoral muscle pain. Elevating the injured area, which can also help reduce swelling, is also recommended to treat a torn pectoral muscle. The injured side should be kept above the heart. This can be done by propping the injured arm and shoulder on a few pillows or laying on the opposite side.
Can a torn muscle ever fully recover?
May 25, 2021 · Non-surgical treatment involves: Resting the damaged muscle Taking anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling Physical therapy to recover as much range of motion as possible
Do you need to go the hospital for torn muscle?
Sep 30, 2019 · Physical Therapy Treatment for Pectoralis Tear . Various treatments may be used by your physical therapist during your pec major tear rehab. These may include physical modalities, exercise, or manual techniques. All treatments are designed to help you move better, decrease pain, and improve overall functional use of your arm.
Can a pectoral tear heal on its own?
How long does a pectoral muscle tear take to heal?
Can you recover from a pec tear without surgery?
How do you tell if your pec is torn?
Does a pec tear hurt?
How long does it take to recover from a pectoralis tear?
Surgery involves sewing your pec tear back into place on your upper arm. Three to four weeks after surgery you should be able to do some passive or active assisted range of motion (ROM) exercises, depending on the surgery. It will most likely take around six weeks for you to do active motion without help.
Can a pectoralis tear cause pain?
A pectoralis major tear is a rare occurrence, but if it happens, you may experience significant pain and functional mobility loss. Your normal work and recreational activities may be affected as well. Working with a physical therapist after a pectoralis tear can help you regain range of motion, strength, and functional use of your arm. ...
What is a grade I tear?
A grade I tear is simply an overstretching of the pec tendon. A grade II tear is a partial tendon tear; some of the tendon is torn and some is still intact. A full-thickness tear of your pectoralis muscle or tendon is a grade III and is the most severe.
Can a ruptured pectoralis muscle cause pain?
Updated on August 05, 2020. A torn or ruptured pectoralis muscle can limit your ability to engage in normal work and recreational activities. It can limit arm use, and may cause significant pain. If you have ruptured or torn your pectoralis major muscle in your chest, you may benefit from physical therapy (PT) to help you recover.
What muscle is in the front of the chest?
Your pectoralis major is the large muscle in the front of your chest. It courses from your sternum (breastbone) and your collar bone to attach at the front of your upper arm bone. This large, fan-shaped muscle works to horizontally adduct your arm, which means that it pulls your upper arm across the front of your body. When you are pushing something, your pectoralis major is active to stabilize the front of your shoulder. The muscle also helps with respiration during heavy breathing.
What is the first session of physical therapy?
Your first session with a physical therapist is called an initial evaluation. During this session, your PT will interview you about your injury. They will ask how your injury occurred, how it is affecting your work and recreational activities , and if you have had surgery or not. Your PT will also ask about your past medical history.
How to improve muscular endurance?
Exercises to improve muscular endurance may be done during your pec tear rehab. Your physical therapist may have you use an upper body ergometer (UBE) to improve upper extremity muscular endurance. (A UBE is a bicycle that you pedal with your arms.) A rowing machine may also be used.
How to reduce pain in pectoral muscle?
Moist heat is often used to increase blood flow to the injured area and help your muscles relax. Electrical stimulation — delivered through pads placed on your pectoral muscle — uses electrical current to decrease pain and increase blood flow to the injured area.
Why does my pectoral muscle tighten up?
After injury, your pectoral muscle may tighten up — a condition called muscle guarding — as the body attempts to protect the area from further injury. Perform stretches to gently lengthen the muscle to reduce this tightness.
What exercises are used to strengthen a PEC strain?
Strengthening exercises are performed during the pec strain recovery time once you have full range of motion without pain. Dumbbells, elastic bands, wrist-cuff weights and exercise machines are all utilized in therapy for strengthening.
What is Bailey's job?
Bailey is also an Anatomy and Physiology professor and has been writing health and fitness articles for over 10 years. Physical therapy interventions help restore range of motion and function as part of pectoral strain treatment. Muscle strains — also known as pulled muscles — cause tiny tears in your muscle fibers.
How does electrical stimulation work?
Electrical stimulation — delivered through pads placed on your pectoral muscle — uses electrical current to decrease pain and increase blood flow to the injured area. Ultrasound may also be performed over the injury to increase blood flow to deeper structures in the muscle.
What are the three types of range of motion exercises?
Three types of range of motion exercises are common in therapy: passive, active assisted and active. Passive range of motion exercises are performed as the therapist moves your arm while you have it in a relaxed position.
What is passive range of motion?
Passive range of motion exercises are performed as the therapist moves your arm while you have it in a relaxed position. Active-assisted exercises use pulleys, exercise sticks or your opposite hand to help you move the injured side. Active exercises require you to move the injured arm on its own.
How long does it take for a shoulder sling to heal?
For high-grade tears, then surgery to reattach the tendon is required. Often, a sling or brace is used for 4 weeks to start healing.
What does it feel like to tear your arm?
Generally, when a tear occurs, you feel sudden sharp pain and possibly a tearing sensation across the chest. Usually, in more severe tears, you can’t continue with your activity. As bleeding progresses, you develop stiffness and swelling of the chest and weakness in moving the arm upwards and across the body.
How to tell if you have a sprained shoulder?
Typically, the most common symptoms include: 1 an audible pop 2 pain and swelling at the front of the shoulder 3 bruising extending down the chest wall and arm 4 difficulty in moving the arm upwards or across the body.
What is the name of the muscle that attaches to the humerus?
The pec muscle , also known as pectoralis major, is a large fan-shaped muscle on the chest wall. The muscle contains two heads: a clavicular head arising from the collarbone and a sternal head arising from the sternum bone. Both heads join together to attach to the upper part of the humerus or upper bone. Generally, the main function of the muscle ...
What does it mean when your shoulder pops?
an audible pop. pain and swelling at the front of the shoulder. bruising extending down the chest wall and arm. difficulty in moving the arm upwards or across the body. Generally, when a tear occurs, you feel sudden sharp pain and possibly a tearing sensation across the chest.
What is the function of the humerus muscle?
Both heads join together to attach to the upper part of the humerus or upper bone. Generally, the main function of the muscle is to move the arm across your body. In addition, it helps rotate the arm inwards. One example of the two muscles working together is a typical bench press movement or push-up.
How long does it take to recover from a pectoralis tear?
In general, patients can return to normal activities 4 to 6 months after their procedure. Outcomes. The management of pectoralis major injuries is patient specific. In sedentary or low-demand individuals with partial or complete tears, nonsurgical management can provide acceptable to excellent results.
What happens after a pectoralis major tear?
Following a pectoralis major tear, the patient may have bruising, swelling, and deformity of the chest and upper arm. In addition, he or she may report pain and loss of strength when pushing with the extremity.
Where does the clavicular head originate?
The clavicular head originates from the anterior border of the medial half of the clavicle (collar bone) while the sternal head arises from the sternum (breast bone) and first through sixth ribs. The 2 portions of the muscle then converge on the outer side of the chest with the subclavius muscle ...
Where is the pain in the shoulder?
The pain is localized to the chest and front of the shoulder or armpit, but may radiate into the upper arm or neck and may increase from an ache to a sharper pain with activity. Diagnosis and assessment. In the acute phase of injury, a physical exam may be difficult to perform because swelling from the injury can distort ...
Why is it so hard to do a physical exam?
In the acute phase of injury, a physical exam may be difficult to perform because swelling from the injury can distort the shoulder and pain can affect strength and motion testing. Once the swelling has resolved, the contour of the chest and shoulder may appear abnormal.
How to test muscle strength?
The strength of the muscle can be tested by having the patient adduct while internally rotating (moving toward the body) the arm and adding resistance (pulling away from the body). The results can then be compared with results from the opposite arm.
What is the difference between CT and MRI?
CT (computed tomography) can be used to evaluate fractures identified on x-rays for surgical fixation. Ultrasound is an inexpensive modality that can be used to assess the presence of a tear or retraction of the tendon while an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) can be performed to determine the site and extent of injury.
How long does it take for a pectoralis tear to heal?
However, depending on the severity of the injury, method of treatment used, and diligence with therapy, full recovery can take several months to a year.
Can you tear your chest muscles?
When you think of muscle tears, your mind probably conjures up arm or leg injuries. But the truth is you can tear almost any muscle, including your chest muscles. While most of us probably won't find ourselves in the type of situation that can lead to a chest muscle injury, some groups—most notably weight lifters—are actually prone ...
What is the largest muscle in the chest?
The pectoral muscles are made up of four muscles that connect the chest wall with the upper arm bone, or humerus, and shoulder: The largest of these muscles, the pectoralis major muscle, attaches at the breastbone, or sternum; the clavicular head of the collar bone, or clavicle; and the humerus. This large muscle, which most ...
Which muscle attaches to the sternum?
Pectoralis major. Serratus anterior. Subclavius. The largest of these muscles, the pectoralis major muscle, attaches at the breastbone, or sternum; the clavicular head of the collar bone, or clavicle; and the humerus.
Which muscle is most likely to be injured?
Of these four muscles, the one most likely to become injured is the pectoralis major muscle.
What is the most popular exercise for weightlifters?
And not just any weight training, but the bench press —one of the most popular exercises among weight lifters. Because the bench press requires a huge amount of force from the pectoralis major muscles, any tension or weakness in the muscles, or even steroid use, can impact their ability to perform the exercise.
How to keep your body strong?
By focusing on healthy foods all year round, you'll be supplying your body with the nutrition it needs to keep itself naturally strong. Take amino acids. Like a good diet, amino acids aren't just for treating injuries. They can also encourage healthy muscle growth and improved strength.
How long does it take to recover from a pectoral tear?
Those patients with a complete pectoral tear that requires surgery, usually require a period of rehabilitation of 3 – 9 months or longer before returning to full activity.
Why does my pectoral tendon strain?
A pectoral strain often occurs suddenly due to a high force going through the muscle and tendon beyond what it can withstand. This typically occurs during weight training especially when performing a bench press, chest press or pectoral flys (especially with free weights).
What is a pectoral strain?
A pectoral strain is a condition characterised by partial or complete tearing of one or more of the pectoral (chest) muscles. It typically occurs during a forceful contraction of the pectoral muscles, often when they are in a position of stretch (e.g. performing a heavy bench press).
Where are the pectoral muscles located?
The pectoral muscles are a group of two muscles situated at the front of the chest (figure 1). The largest of which is the pectoralis major muscle which originates from the sternum (breast bone), ribs and collar bone and attaches to the upper arm bone (humerus). The pectoralis minor is the smaller of the two pectoral muscles originating from ...
What is a grade 1 tear?
Grade 1: a small number of fibers are torn resulting in some pain , but allowing full function. Grade 2: a significant number of fibers are torn with moderate loss of function. Grade 3: all muscle fibers are ruptured resulting in major loss of function. The majority of pectoral strains are grade 2 tears.
How to stretch your shoulder?
Shoulder Flexion. Begin standing tall with your back and neck straight. Gently raise your arm forwards and up as far as you can go without pain and provided you feel no more than a mild to moderate stretch (figure 4). Repeat 10 times provided the exercise is pain free.
How to get rid of a swollen arm?
Begin standing tall with your back and neck straight. Gently raise your arm forwards and up as far as you can go without pain and provided you feel no more than a mild to moderate stretch (figure 4). Repeat 10 times provided the exercise is pain free.
