20 Nov Is It Difficult To Recover From A Pec Tear?
As an athlete, one of the most devastating injuries you can face is a torn pectoral muscle. While some injuries can be played through, this is certainly not one of them. When you’ve been diagnosed with a torn pec, you’ll need to work with an expert to give you the best chance at making a full recovery. That person can be found here at New York Sports Medicine Institute. Dr. Roth, our sports medicine expert, can provide you with the services needed to help repair your muscle and get you back on the field.
What Is A Pec Tear?
The pectoral major, or pec, is a large muscle located in the front of your chest. This fan-shaped muscle works to pull your arm across your upper body. It is a necessary movement for various sports, so this muscle always needs to be in shape and protected. When a tear occurs, you’ll be faced with copious amounts of pain, and in some cases, the inability to fully stretch your arm.
Symptoms Of A Pec Tear
The sooner you seek treatment for this type of injury, the faster you can return to competing in your sport. That is why our team wants you to be aware of the common symptoms you should look for in these particular cases. Some of the most common signs of a pec tear include:
- An audible pop in your chest or shoulder at the time of your injury.
- Pain in the front of your shoulder.
- Inability to lift your shoulder or arm.
- Bruising or swelling in the front of your shoulder.
- Distorted shape in the front of the shoulder.
Causes Of A Pec Tear
There are a variety of factors that can lead to a person suffering from a pectoral tear. In many cases, it occurs when a person is bench pressing more than they are physically capable of handling. However, that is not the only situation that can lead to this injury. Forceful encounters, such as falling on an outstretched arm or having the arm violently tugged, can also lead to you tearing this muscle.
Repairing The Muscle
In most cases, a torn pectoral will not heal on its own. Our team will need to perform surgery to reattach the muscle so that you can begin your road to recovery. The operation will involve sewing the muscle back into place on your upper arm. Following this, three to four weeks of immobilization will be needed to ensure that the surgery takes effect.
Following The Procedure
After the three to four weeks have passed, we will perform a follow-up evaluation to determine your physical condition. If we deem that you can start a movement, he will refer you to an expert physical therapist. Physical therapy is an activity-based form of treatment, and it will play a crucial role in your recovery. Once the muscle has been put back into place, you’ll need to regain strength to help break up any scar tissue and improve your mobility. By performing the stretches and exercises recommended by your physical therapist, this can be achieved.
Additional Treatment Modalities
Physical therapy is not the only thing that will help you make a full recovery after your surgery. Dr. Roth knows various other methods that play an essential role in rebuilding any lost and damaged muscle. Below are other examples of what you can expect to help during the recovery process:
- Scar tissue massages.
- Heat and cold therapy.
- Ultrasound therapy.
- Electronic muscle stimulation.
Recovery Timeline
It’s essential to remember that each patient and pec tear is different. Not everyone will recover at the same pace, so you shouldn’t get frustrated if you fall a bit behind the expected timeline. However, on average, you can expect it to take around six months to make a full recovery from this type of injury.
Contact Us
When you’ve suffered a pec tear, it can be hard to make a full recovery when you work with a subpar team. That is why our team here at New York Sports Medicine Institute should be your first call when you suspect this has happened. We will confirm the diagnosis and move forward with the treatment plan that offers you the best chance at a speedy recovery. To get this process started, be sure to contact our team today.