Rehabilitation exercise program after surgical treatment of pectoralis major rupture. A case report

Abstract Objective To present a rehabilitation exercise program and suggest a schedule of activities for daily living and participation in sports after surgical treatment of a pectoralis major rupture. Design A single case study. Setting Hospital-based study, Thessaloniki, Greece. Participants We present a 30-year-old male athlete (height, 196 cm; weight, 90 kg; right hand dominant) with a complete rupture of the pectoralis major tendon after a fall. Rehabilitation exercise program The athlete received a post-operative rehabilitation exercise program for 16 weeks. During the program, there was a gradual increase in the exercise program regime and load across the sessions according to the specific case demands. Main outcome measures Shoulder function was evaluated using Constant score. Results Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed the diagnosis and the patient had surgical treatment repairing-reattaching the tendon back to its insertion using a bone anchor. At the end of the rehabilitation exercise program, the patient had full range of movement, normal muscle power and a return back to his previous level of athletic activities achieved. Conclusions Post-operatively, a progressive rehabilitation protocol contributed to the patients' full recovery and allowed an early return to activities of daily living and participation in sports.