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Pectoralis major muscle, also known as “pecs,” starts from two segments: the breastbone and the collarbone, which join together forming the “pectoralis major tendon.” Pectoralis major is a large and fan-shaped muscle present in your chest wall. Its function is to move arms in forward and backward directions, as well as rotating and extending them.

Injury to this muscle or its associated tendon is not common. However, it may sometimes happen while playing a certain sport or engaging in activities that require much force, such as weightlifting, fighting or strenuous exercise like bench press.

Causes of pectoralis major tear

A tear happens in the pectoralis major muscle or tendon when you straighten your arms or rotate it externally while it is contracting, causing the muscles tighten at a force more than their capacity. For instance, while bench pressing, when you use your arms to lift heavy weights, the bar weight puts pressure on your chest muscles. This force can cause tear and, in some cases, snap the associated tendon.

When injury occurs in pectoralis major muscles or tendon, one may hear a pop sound in the chest or shoulder, causing pain, weakness and, sometimes, bruising in the surrounding area. It is common among people between the ages of 20 and 40 who are physically active.

Some other activities that can cause pectoralis major tears are:

• Wrestling
• Skiing
• Parachuting
• Gymnastics
• Games like football, rugby
• Martial arts
• Accident trauma

Pectoralis major tear diagnosis is made through a physical examination, wherein a doctor checks the chest shape and muscle mass, followed by imaging tests like X-ray, ultrasound and MRI, to know the extent of the tear.

Pectoralis major repair or treatment

Your treatment is mainly based on whether it’s a partial or full tear.

Partial tear

In the case of a pectoralis major partial tear, you might not require surgery. Rather, your doctor will suggest using a sling and having a rest. Also, you will be asked to apply ice, give compression and have pain-relieving medicines.

Complete tear

For a complete tear of “pecs,” surgery is recommended for fixing and restoring complete strength of the muscle. Early repairing helps prevent the tendon from getting torn again and decreases the odds of scar tissue creation and muscle shrinking. If, in the case, the tendon is fully torn, then there are many surgical methods for reattaching it to the bone. But when the damage in the tendon is severe, you might require tendon transplantation.

Recovery

In the case of a partial muscle tear, you will require physical therapy for two weeks since the injury to regain complete strength and mobility. In the case of surgery, you will need to use a sling for about 3–6 weeks and do minor arm exercises and different physical therapies to build up strength and regain mobility. For complete recovery, it might take 6–8 months, but it is vital to consult your doctor before you start physical activities that can put pressure on chest muscles.

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