Torn Pectoral Muscle Recovery Time
Ruptures of the pectoralis major muscle are becoming more common due to the increase in power sports weight training. The most common way to tear your pectoral is forceful activities such as weightlifting. It could also occur from certain sports such as football or wrestling. When your pectoral tears you will feel sudden severe pain in your chest. You may also have pain in the upper arm, weakness, bruising, and a dimpling, or pocket formation above the armpit. If you feel any of these symptoms please be sure to call our sports medicine doctor in Franklin Lakes, NJ at New York Sports Medicine Institute.
How to Heal a Torn Pectoral Muscle
- Rest- Be sure to rest after you feel that sudden sharp pain in your chest. Stop as soon as you notice the pain
- Ice- Make sure to ice for about 20 minutes 3 times a day as long as pain persists.
- Compression- Consider wrapping the affected area but not too tight as to where it will affect your circulation
- Surgical Treatment- In severe cases this will be an incision in the middle of your chest. The tendon will have to be reattached to the bone. Sometimes, you even need a tendon replacement when it is a chronic injury.
Can a Torn Pectoral Muscle Heal Itself?
In most cases it will not heal on its own. You usually will have to get surgery to repair this tear. Our team at New York Sports Medicine Institute will have to assist you in that healing process from surgery. But, if it is a minor case there are some things that you can do to heal it on your own, just like the things listed above.
How Long Does the Healing Process Take?
The healing process can take from 6 months to a year after surgery. The first part of the healing process after surgery is resting and managing the pain. Then, you should call our sports medicine doctor in Franklin Lakes, NJ to continue that rehab and get you feeling good as new.
How To Prevent A Torn Pectoral Muscle
- Warm up- Warming up will help you increase the pliability and get your muscles ready for lifting heavy weights.
- Adequate protein- As an athlete you should be eating right. Giving yourself enough protein will help you to gain the muscle that you are looking for and prevent injury of the pectoral area.
- Sleep- As you know, getting an adequate amount of sleep will help your muscles strengthen and help with many things that will keep your body and brain healthy.
- Mentally prepared- Before lifting a heavy weight you must be mentally ready. If you are not prepared then you coil drop the weight or do something wrong and injure yourself. One wrong move with a heavy weight can easily cause an injury that could need surgery.
- Rest- While this is a treatment this can also be a preventative measure. Make sure to rest between reps of weight lifting. Also, be sure to rest 48 hours between heavy lifting days and work on different muscles different days
- Stay controlled- Control your motion while lifting and stay focused on what you are doing so that you don’t move in the wrong way.
- Learn more
Our sports medicine doctor in Franklin Lakes, NJ will assist you in prevention with pectoral muscles and help with treatment for after the injury or surgery. Just visit our website and give us a call. As of now we are open for tele-visits and in-person care.
Request An Appointment With Our Sports Medicine Doctor in Franklin Lakes, NJ
Every athlete knows that even after preventive methods have been taken, an injury can still arise at any time. If this happens to you, don’t hesitate when searching for treatment. By requesting an appointment with our sports medicine doctor in Franklin Lakes, NJ for treatment, you may be able to save the remainder of your season. Here at New York Sports Medicine Institute, we promise to administer the highest quality of care after an injury to help you achieve the best possible outcome. If you are in need of expert care, we are here to help. Contact our team today to learn how we can help you!