The pectoralis major and pectoralis minor, more commonly known as the “pecs”, are two large fan-shaped muscles that line the chest wall. These muscles are especially important in athletes, laborers, and active individuals as they provide stability and strength to the shoulder with lifting heavy objects. The pectoralis major muscle originates from the center of the sternum (chest) and clavicle (collarbone) and is attached to the humerus (upper arm bone) by the pectoralis major tendon. A pectoralis major tendon injury occurs when the tendon is pulled away from its attachment site. An injury to this tendon commonly occurs when the force applied to the pectoralis major muscle surpasses the strength of the pectoralis major tendon’s attachment to the bone; therefore, this injury is commonly seen among athletes that participate in weight-lifting as well as labor-intensive workers.
While patients with pectoralis major tendon injuries can find relief with conservative therapy options alone, surgical intervention is generally the most successful method for repairing pectoralis major tendon injuries. Surgical repair of a pectoralis major tendon injury aims to restore strength and restabilize the shoulder by removing the damaged tendon fragments and reattaching the remaining healthy tendon back to its original attachment site. Dr. Frank McCormick, orthopedic shoulder doctor, treats patients in Orlando, Palm Beach County, and surrounding Florida communities, who have experienced a pectoralis major tendon injury and are in need of surgical repair.
When a pectoralis major tendon injury is suspected, patients are strongly encouraged to seek prompt medical attention from an orthopedic specialist to prevent tendon retraction and scarring. Dr. McCormick prefers the arthroscopic approach when performing a pectoralis major tendon repair. Once the patient has been placed under anesthesia, a small camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the shoulder joint with a continuously circulated sterile solution to enhance visualization of the shoulder joint structures. The damaged portions of the pectoralis major tendon are excised and removed with specialized surgical instruments. The remaining healthy tendon is then fastened back in its original anatomical position with special surgical anchors that are secured within the bone.
In the event where a significant amount of time has passed between the pectoralis major tendon injury and surgical intervention, tendon retraction and scarring are more likely thereby creating a more difficult surgical repair. These particular instances require a tendon graft to ensure proper reattachment to the humeral head. A tendon graft can be harvested from either the patient (autograft) or donor tissue (allograft) before being sewn into the native pectoralis major muscle prior to reattachment.
The recovery period following an arthroscopic pectoralis major tendon repair often varies. Minimally invasive surgical procedures have been shown to reduce recovery time, however, the bones, muscles, and tendons still take the same amount of time to heal. Patients in Orlando, Palm Beach County, and the surrounding Florida communities can expect a return to their normal daily and athletic activities in approximately 6 months. The following can be anticipated during the recovery process:
For more information on shoulder labrum and SLAP tear repairs, or to discuss your shoulder labrum treatment options, please contact the office of Frank McCormick, MD, orthopedic shoulder doctor serving Orlando, Kissimmee, Palm Beach County, Florida, and the surrounding areas.
