partial pectoral tear repair - anyone had it?

[SIR-LOIN]

Want to know if there's anyone out therewho's had a partial pectoral major tear that had it repaired WAY AFTER THE FACT ... 6 months or more after the injury?

I tore my right one 2 years ago, went to an orthopedic immediately (my GP referred me to, at the time I didn't know anyone else). He looked like he never even drove by a gym, let alone spent any time there. He said there would be a slight cosmetic difference, should have full use of it as before, and did not recommend I have the surgery since it would only be a minor cosmetic repair, and I would be in a sling for up to 6 months. So I chose not to.

That side always felt weird, I never got as strong again .. up to that point I'd maxed 440 for a 1RM in the gym, hoped to get 500 by the time I was 45 (was 40 at the time), but the most I have done since is 315 for 5 reps.

I since met another ortho who has competed in bbing at Jr Nationals, who said I should have gone to him back then (after a year had passed). He said the 6 month in a sling was BS, and he'd had me active in 8 weeks, and couldn't tell a difference in the two pecs, but now scar tissue precludes him from assuring he'd get any good results, due to the time that has passed, but it would be 50 / 50, and no guarantees.

I competed last year, and since the tear I'not been able to hit chest nearly as hard, so it was lacking a bit. I still qualified for natl's this year, so it wasn't the end of the world, but I could not train them very hard, and not sure how the wrecked one would look anyway if I were able to add mass.

Anybody else in this boat?

 

[Tendon Snapper]

Similar scenario to you. Tore my pec at the insertion in '92 and went to three different ortho's within a week of the tear occurring. None would attempt a repair since it was "only a 35% tear" and "wouldn't even be noticeable cosmetically, or effect strength". I knew they were wrong, and that they didn't have a clue what they were talking about. Neither had done a pec repair at that time. I called three more ortho's in the biggest cities near me and couldn't find anyone who felt "the risk of the surgery was worth any benefit it MIGHT provide." It's never been repaired.

My tear as gotten a bit worse over time, I'd say it's now 50% torn. I train chest with moderate weights, not because I want to, but because I have to. If I go too heavy I end up rolling my shoulder in to the movement to make up for the lack of leverage that my torn pec has when pushing.

I'm also under the impression that the longer you let a tear, um, stay torn that the less chance there is of a successful repair as the torn tendon attaches to the muscle and kind of become permanently glued on there, making it almost impossible to be able to pull away to be reattached.

I'm not sure for you that the surgery would be worth it, but that's your call to make.

I've wondered if some strategically placed SEO would help close up the 'divot' that a torn pec causes to aid in not having it so noticeable on stage.

I learned something from my experience with my pec tear, and when I had other tears (tricep and quad) I have found out immediately who the best person to do the repair was and had them fixed immediately.

 

[SIR-LOIN]

I've wondered if some strategically placed SEO would help close up the 'divot' that a torn pec causes to aid in not having it so noticeable on stage.

Bump on the SEO. I'm new to that. As long as I've been lifting, I had not heard of a SEO until I joined this forum 3 weeks ago. I'd like to hear if anyone has a thought on using the SEO to fill in "holes" or divot as you put it.

 

[awsumkid13]

Happened to a buddy of mine a little while back. Both pecs were discolored to an almost black color for a good month. He took 2 months off from doing ANY chest exercises and rarely did any shoulder work either. He's back after about 8 weeks and feeling fine

 

[CDJack]

YES

I had a pec tear on the lower half of the sternal head (where the lower half of my pec tendon attaches to the humerus). I tore it nearly two years ago, and had it fixed in December. So far so good (cross my fingers & knock on wood). I am doing PT now and started light pressing recently. Exactly 12 weeks post surgery now. Make sure you go to a surgeon that has done MANY pec repairs. This is not a common surgery. Where do you live? I can recommend some very high caliber surgeons

 

[SIR-LOIN]

I had a pec tear on the lower half of the sternal head (where the lower half of my pec tendon attaches to the humerus). I tore it nearly two years ago, and had it fixed in December. So far so good (cross my fingers & knock on wood). I am doing PT now and started light pressing recently. Exactly 12 weeks post surgery now. Make sure you go to a surgeon that has done MANY pec repairs. This is not a common surgery. Where do you live? I can recommend some very high caliber surgeons

I live in the southest US, about 3.5 hours south of Atlanta. So, more than a year passed before you had the repair done? My doc said he could try, but no real guarantees, since he couldn't tell until he got in there to see if the scar tissue would make it possible.

Yes, mine was black and blue from shoulder to bottom of the bicep, and my rib cage ... nasty. I have full use, but it seems like it's getting droopier. I'll look for some pics from back in the summer when I was getting prepped for the 2 contests I got in.

 

[Ivan]

hmm

I had a pec tear on the lower half of the sternal head (where the lower half of my pec tendon attaches to the humerus). I tore it nearly two years ago, and had it fixed in December. So far so good (cross my fingers & knock on wood). I am doing PT now and started light pressing recently. Exactly 12 weeks post surgery now. Make sure you go to a surgeon that has done MANY pec repairs. This is not a common surgery. Where do you live? I can recommend some very high caliber surgeons

What were you running? (as in aas)

 

[qbkilla]

to the 2 guys who tore them, did you tear the tendon or the muscle belly? shouldnt the muscle belly heal on its own (with scar tissue). I believe the only way you could get surgery would be if the tendon tore, correct?

 

[CDJack]

I was running test & EQ at the time. I think 500mg test and 500mg EQ.

Yes, I had mine repaired MORE THAN 2 years after initial tear. The piece of the tendon that had torn off was scar tethered down to my muscle, which the surgeon had to dissect away and mobilize before even being able to reattach it. I had a lot of scar tissue (and still do), which continues to give me mild pain to this day, but at least the pec is reattached.

I don't know many surgeons in the southeast to be honest. I know James Andrews has done many pec repairs. He is in Alabama I believe, so somewhere down south.

If you can get up northeast, I would HIGHLY recommend Thomas Wickiewicz or Anthony Schepsis. Two surgeons with tremendous experience, particularly in repairing ruptured pecs long after initial tears, including partials.

I would strongly advise against going with a young surgeon or a surgeon that is not experienced in this area. You will be making a big mistake.

 

[CDJack]

to the 2 guys who tore them, did you tear the tendon or the muscle belly? shouldnt the muscle belly heal on its own (with scar tissue). I believe the only way you could get surgery would be if the tendon tore, correct?

Muscle belly should heal on its own. Surgery would not be very effective there. A tear at the muscle tendon junction is another story. Many surgeons have been able to fix this with tendon grafts and pulling the torn piece back to the humerus and tacking in down.

 

[SIR-LOIN]

Digging up old thread on pec tear repair

I had a pec tear on the lower half of the sternal head (where the lower half of my pec tendon attaches to the humerus). I tore it nearly two years ago, and had it fixed in December. So far so good (cross my fingers & knock on wood). I am doing PT now and started light pressing recently. Exactly 12 weeks post surgery now. Make sure you go to a surgeon that has done MANY pec repairs. This is not a common surgery. Where do you live? I can recommend some very high caliber surgeons

CDJack, you mentioned you had a repair done 12 weeks prior to the post you made above. I wonder how it turned out? Are you happy with the result (assuming you are still here).
I opened this thread back up because my chest is getting worse looking (to me), Seems like the gap is widening and the rest is sagging, almost looks like man-boobs on the right side, and I hate that with a passion. Trying to figure out if there's someone that can do something about it, sending my info to a well know sports injury doc in Birmingham AL, hoping he can accomodate.

 

[slugger28]

I experienced a partial tear 1 year ago doing flat bench. I have never been the same. Its about 20% bigger than the non injured side. My bench has dropped by 100lbs. The surgery was a piece of cake. Rehab was hard. You shouldnt wait to do the surgery. I hope chest isnt your favorite body part. If so you might have to focuc on other areas.

 

[CDJack]

CDJack, you mentioned you had a repair done 12 weeks prior to the post you made above. I wonder how it turned out? Are you happy with the result (assuming you are still here).
I opened this thread back up because my chest is getting worse looking (to me), Seems like the gap is widening and the rest is sagging, almost looks like man-boobs on the right side, and I hate that with a passion. Trying to figure out if there's someone that can do something about it, sending my info to a well know sports injury doc in Birmingham AL, hoping he can accomodate.

VERY happy with the results. Pec is completely normal now...in fact the tendon looks thicker and stronger than the other side because of how he reattached it. I'm telling you 100% go to Dr. Wickiewicz or Dr. Schepsis. Two of the best in the world at this. Dr. Wick is a legend in sports medicine. He used to be the chief of sports medicine and shoulder ortho surgery at Hospital for Special Surgery (best in the world for this) and he continues to practice there. I cannot say enough good things about him. If he has to, he will use a graft. Schepsis is good too, but I really loved Wick.

My repair was very difficult and most surgeons wouldn't have gone near it. Wick was able to do it easily, though it was a lengthy surgery. PM me if you want to chat via email about this more or have any questions. Pec tears suck and if you don't fix it, you'll never be the same.

ps

MRIs suck for diagnosing pec ruptures unless they're a complete tendon avulsion in the acute phase. Wick will examine you and make a decision based on that.

 

[CDJack]

CDJack, you mentioned you had a repair done 12 weeks prior to the post you made above. I wonder how it turned out? Are you happy with the result (assuming you are still here).
I opened this thread back up because my chest is getting worse looking (to me), Seems like the gap is widening and the rest is sagging, almost looks like man-boobs on the right side, and I hate that with a passion. Trying to figure out if there's someone that can do something about it, sending my info to a well know sports injury doc in Birmingham AL, hoping he can accomodate.

I'm assuming you're sending your info to Dr. Andrews. He is also very good.

 

[SIR-LOIN]

Yes. In fact they should have my info now. It would be almost impossible to go to ny or boston for me. Bham is driving distance for me and I have to be there on business in 2 weeks anyway. Maybe they can squeeze me in. just hope insurance can cover. Glad to hear you had good results, gives me hope.

 

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[SIR-LOIN]

I'm assuming you're sending your info to Dr. Andrews. He is also very good.

I have an appointment with Dr Andrews Monday to see about getting my pec fixed, 3 years after the fact.

About how long is the recovery from the surgery? I'm trying to plan how many days I'll miss from work, that is, if he can do anything with it. I hope so, it's getting worse, and almost no point in even training it anymore. Hate to throw away 30 plus years training because of this.

 

[CDJack]

Not to repeat myself, but you can pretty much fix ANY pec tear after it has happened, even several years after. It just takes a very skilled surgeon who is confident and has done it before. They will likely need a graft with you because it has retracted so far from the humerus, unless possibly it has scarred down on your pec wall closer to the humerus and you have good tendon remaining.

I was out of work for 1 week (I work a desk job). After that, I was obsessive about taking care of the repair and making sure not to damage it. I limited my interactions in crowded places, etc. Remember, mine was about 2 years after and I didn't even need a graft.

By 6 weeks you will be out of the sling and starting PT. From there it ramps up pretty quickly. By 12 weeks you'll be doing actually like chest exercises, maybe even earlier. By about 6 months you can pretty much increase progressively on anything you want in the gym. Just don't go crazy. You'll be back to 100% by a year. Also, I'd avoid all barbell bench pressing forever.

I have an appointment with Dr Andrews Monday to see about getting my pec fixed, 3 years after the fact.

About how long is the recovery from the surgery? I'm trying to plan how many days I'll miss from work, that is, if he can do anything with it. I hope so, it's getting worse, and almost no point in even training it anymore. Hate to throw away 30 plus years training because of this.

 

[SIR-LOIN]

I saw dr Andrews yesterday. He did not recommend an attempt at surgery, since my tear was in the middle of a muscle strand, not tendon coming off the bone. He said that, and the time that has passed (3+ years) the chance at success was slim, except maybe some cosmetic benefit, but probably not enough to warrant 6 - 8 weeks in a sling and recovery. They showed me the MRI and told me there should not be any additional tearing due to that injury. In my mind I pictured the muscle partially torn and strings of it still attached. As long as I stay away from heavy stupid training I should be okay.

 

[thebrick]

I saw dr Andrews yesterday. He did not recommend an attempt at surgery, since my tear was in the middle of a muscle strand, not tendon coming off the bone. He said that, and the time that has passed (3+ years) the chance at success was slim, except maybe some cosmetic benefit, but probably not enough to warrant 6 - 8 weeks in a sling and recovery. They showed me the MRI and told me there should not be any additional tearing due to that injury. In my mind I pictured the muscle partially torn and strings of it still attached. As long as I stay away from heavy stupid training I should be okay.

I'd be relieved to hear that news. You feeling OK about it? Being careful is not a bad thing as you and I well know. I'm in it for the long haul, I'm sure you are too.