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Pectoralis Major Rupture

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Acute Muscle Injuries

Abstract

Injuries to the pectoralis major muscle range in severity from mild strains and contusions to complete ruptures. Careful physical examination and a high level of suspicion based on history are keys to accurate and timely diagnosis. Injuries are most common in males in the 20s and 30s and occur when load is applied to an eccentrically contracting muscle. In the pectoralis major, this situation frequently occurs when the arm is maximally loaded in a position of forward flexion, abduction, and external rotation. Injuries are classified based on tear location and severity. Physical examination of an acute rupture typically reveals significant bruising of the chest, axilla, and arm, along with loss of the axillary fold. The diagnosis can be confirmed with ultrasound or MRI. While contusions and partial tears can often be managed nonoperatively, complete ruptures near the distal insertion are generally treated surgically. A variety of repair techniques have been described.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, Sports Health and Performance Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA

    Robert A. Magnussen

  2. Orthopädie am Rosenberg, St. Gallen, Switzerland

    Matthias Jacobi

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse, Centre Albert Trillat, Lyon, France

    Elvire Servien

Authors
  1. Robert A. Magnussen
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  2. Matthias Jacobi
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  3. Elvire Servien
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert A. Magnussen .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Research Center Amsterdam, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Gino M.M.J. Kerkhoffs

  2. Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hopital de la Croix-Rousse Centre Albert-Trillat, Lyon, France

    Elvire Servien

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Magnussen, R.A., Jacobi, M., Servien, E. (2014). Pectoralis Major Rupture. In: Kerkhoffs, G., Servien, E. (eds) Acute Muscle Injuries. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03722-6_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-03722-6_7

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-03721-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-03722-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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