Successful rehab from a partial pec tear?

LTC Yinon Weiss — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:53:37 -0400

I suffered a partial pec tear (tendon pulled off bone) three days ago while bench pressing. Looking at surgery tomorrow (will keep this post updated). I'm curious if you have had a partial or complete pectoral muscle tear, and if you did, did you have surgery or try rehab without surgery? And how did your recovery go?

Response by SFC Josh Billingsley made May 24 at 2016 8:56 PM

SFC Josh Billingsley — Tue, 24 May 2016 20:56:46 -0400

I had a surgical correction when I blew out my atfl and the tendon separated. I'm sorry to tell you, but if pecs are anything similar it will never be the same. Mine was full blown tendon and tear though..maybe your situation isn't as dire.

Response by Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM made May 24 at 2016 9:13 PM

Kim Bolen RN CCM ACM — Tue, 24 May 2016 21:13:05 -0400

God Speed on your recovery Sir.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 24 at 2016 10:23 PM

SFC Stephen King — Tue, 24 May 2016 22:23:03 -0400

LTC Yinon Weiss safe and quick recovery. Although I have not had a pectoral tear. I did have complete distal biceps tear it took me a yr to recover. It takes time but you can and will recover.

Response by MAJ Monique Ruiz made May 24 at 2016 10:30 PM

MAJ Monique Ruiz — Tue, 24 May 2016 22:30:47 -0400

Sir, surgery is the best way to go because the chances of not recovering full range of mobility and strength without it are greater. Not just any surgeon, choose a sports medicine Doctor.

I had four pins put in due to constant dislocation in my right shoulder. I tried three times with two general doctors over the course of 1.5 years prior to surgery to see if physical therapy would help. I decided to visit a sports medicine doctor whose specialty was shoulder and knee injuries. The sports doctor was amazed that I lasted as long as I did before demanding surgery because my shoulder was damaged more than what an MRI could show. I don't regret surgery because if I plan to stay in the service, I needed to decide on the route that would help me recover better without being on permanent profile.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 24 at 2016 10:52 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Tue, 24 May 2016 22:52:21 -0400

LTC Yinon Weiss I don't have a 'pec' tear, but today, my left #4 rib was diagnosed, (code R07.81, Rib Pain), as a 'slipped rib'!

Hi Ho, Hi Ho and off to physical therapy we go!

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made May 25 at 2016 5:26 AM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Wed, 25 May 2016 05:26:13 -0400

I had a right rotator cuff tear what is termed a full thickness SLAP tear, with MRI and extensive PT. I have my mobility back thankfully, and was most fortunate it wasn't worse, obviously. I tore it landing wrong in a roll on a too thin mat while doing aikido. I know nothing about weightlifting in any depth, however you might also possibly look into osteopathic manipulative therapy or OMT done only by DOs or osteopaths, they use trigger point approaches that were adapted to create chiropractic. Also, many chiros do is found also use activator therapy, a spring loaded devce, I'd known of several who used such techniques on nonspinal joints when and where allowed in their states, or at least been told of it. There are rehab physicians bpth MD and DO (osteopath) who are physiatrists, not PTs or DPTs (doctoral level PTs), you might seek a physiatrist, not just an orthopedist. Next, look into licensed massage therapists or LMTs, they often work under physiatrists and or orthopedists, as well as with OMT practicing DOs , MDs cannot normally do OMT it's not part of their normal training I've ever encountered. Then, too, look at anesthesiology pain management as to their surgical procedures, possibly , apart from whether a shoulder fellowship trained orthopedist might also be worth seeking out as well, hope that was of help, be most eager for your thoughts , many thanks, I'm totally perm VA disabled now, I merely thought you might possibly find such thoughts useful as to whom to seek out clinically, that's all I was trying to suggest, many thanks.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 8:14 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 08:14:47 -0400

An accident caused a Class III sprain of the Achilles tendon. Naval Doctors treatment; Half cast wrapped with ace bandage, must bear weight on foot. I couldn't bear any weight due to pain. After seeking civilian Doctor's help he found the Talus was fractured and Lateral process damaged as well Class III sprain. Had full cast up to knee. 6 weeks. No therapy, used crutches until cast removal, again no therapy. If I had surgery at the time they would have pinned ankle thereby creating a situation where I would have been medically discharged with 10 years service. I was issued P3 profile against running and chose alternate event for APRT. Took me four years to walk properly.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 25 at 2016 9:37 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 25 May 2016 09:37:47 -0400

I had a small tear in mine from the bench press as well. Mine did not warrant surgery. It was still painful and i had limited range and use of my shoulder. I was able to strengthen the muscles around it through 6-8 weeks of PT. It has ben healed for about 3 years now. I can however still press down and feel a bit of pain. I was told that is the fibrous tissues that heeled tightly.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2016 4:07 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 May 2016 16:07:45 -0400

Hope you have a quick recovery Sir. Next time on that bench, keep elbows in and don't let them flair out. Let the Triceps, Chest, legs and front delts do the work

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jun 21 at 2016 7:37 PM

SP5 Mark Kuzinski — Tue, 21 Jun 2016 19:37:42 -0400

Sorry as I am a little late reading this - How did the surgery go?