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Is surgery mandatory for a muscle tear?

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Is surgery mandatory for a muscle tear?

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Wesley Turner

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Divya Banu M

Published At August 5, 2019
Reviewed AtSeptember 11, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I suffered an injury in the right shoulder region four months back by falling off a fast speedboat. I was wearing a life jacket and buckles on impacted shoulder and I believe my arm was pulled back. It bruised badly. It is painful in some range of motions and have started back at the gym and hurts when under load on an exercise like pec dec. I went to an osteopath who reported below:

During an examination, there was pain on lateral flexion of his right shoulder. On observation, during right lateral flexion of the shoulder, his pectoralis looked atrophied and unsymmetrical compared to the left. On palpation, he was very tender on his right pectoralis major tendon and lateral muscle belly. I have therefore diagnosed him with a right pectoralis major tendon and muscle tear.

I have just received results from an MRI. My questions are:

What treatment should be done? Should I continue to exercise and slowly build up weights? Would it require surgery?

Answered by Dr. Wesley Turner

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Treatment should be very low weight and high reps for building strength and physical therapy would be highly recommended. Surgery for rotator cuff tears are determined on a case by case basis by orthopedic surgeon and usually based on age, pain and restrictions. In this setting with multiple issues on MRI findings and abnormal physical exam findings, surgery may be warranted.

The Probable causes

Trauma from accident.

Investigations to be done

None further - needs ortho referral.

Differential diagnosis

Rotator cuff tear, arthritis.

Probable diagnosis

Rotator cuff tear, labral tear.

Treatment plan

Physical therapy, orthopedic surgeon referral.

Preventive measures

Continue to lightly use shoulder, avoid heavy lifting.

Regarding follow up

Follow up with ortho surgeon for surgical evaluation.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Wesley Turner

Dr. Wesley Turner

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