How to figure out if I tore my pec?

[Pete Nice]

Saw the doctor this evening.  As soon as he saw it he said it was torn.  I informed him that there was no indention, but he asked to clasp my hands together and sure enough, there may have been one in the top corner by the armpit.  I have a MRI scheduled for tomorrow, so we will see. Not the greatest feeling in the world.

[Nirvana]

Suck it up and push through the pain

[Pete Nice]

Kurt Cobain and Beethoven could not push through the pain.

[HTexan]

Kurt Cobain and Beethoven could not push through the pain.

Too soon man.

[Pete Nice]

Had my MRI done this week, and was told I had a decent amount of tendon left, but was still diagnosed with a ruptured pec major.  He stated that the tendon tore away from the bone, but left a small 'cuff' of tissue still on the bone, and that it should be an easy fix.  The doc obviously stated that I needed surgery and wants to do so ASAP.  

With that said, after literally only one week, I have no pain right now.  Some bruising and swelling still, but ROM is 95% with no pain.  Have not tried any pressing movements yet,  but no pain as I type this.  Not feeling the 4-6 weeks in a sling and 6 month recovery if I don't really need it, but also do not want any long term issues such as a lack of strength in the area or extreme atrophy.  I'll never compete so having a minor dent when doing a most muscular is not that big of a deal to me.  

Has anyone tore their pec and opted out of surgery?  If so, what have the results been as time has passed?

[Van_Bilderass]

I recommend surgery, what do you have to lose, except a few weeks of inactivity? Do it.

I didn't get surgery in time and regret it, although it wasn't my fault, had to wait like a year for surgery and by then the tendon retracted too much for good result.

I used the sling for like 2 or 3 days instead of the month, just didn't put stress on the muscle.

[oldtimer1]

My doctor told me a tendon repair has the greatest chance of a successful operation when done immediately after the injury when every thing is fresh so too speak. He told me how one guy refused but came back 3 months later and wanted it done. He said he had to graft cadaver tendons and the chance of success was much lower than if he had it reattached days after the injury. I had my bicep which was completely torn off reattached 5 days after the injury. It took about 6 months to regain 95% strength back in the arm. I know many have partial tendon tears and I would think that is a easier fix and a quicker recovery. I just bring this up because if the pec isn't right for months then you decide to fix it the tendon reattachment might be problematic.

[Mr Anabolic]

Had my MRI done this week, and was told I had a decent amount of tendon left, but was still diagnosed with a ruptured pec major.  He stated that the tendon tore away from the bone, but left a small 'cuff' of tissue still on the bone, and that it should be an easy fix.  The doc obviously stated that I needed surgery and wants to do so ASAP.  

With that said, after literally only one week, I have no pain right now.  Some bruising and swelling still, but ROM is 95% with no pain.  Have not tried any pressing movements yet,  but no pain as I type this.  Not feeling the 4-6 weeks in a sling and 6 month recovery if I don't really need it, but also do not want any long term issues such as a lack of strength in the area or extreme atrophy.  I'll never compete so having a minor dent when doing a most muscular is not that big of a deal to me.  

Has anyone tore their pec and opted out of surgery?  If so, what have the results been as time has passed?

Why would you even think about going back to the gym with this injury? 

You're a meathead if you don't get the surgery... you do need it.  So you'll be out of the gym a few months... so what.

[Pete Nice]

Why would you even think about going back to the gym with this injury? 

You're a meathead if you don't get the surgery... you do need it.  So you'll be out of the gym a few months... so what.

There are other obligations in life other than going to the gym.  Work, and earning a living is one of them.  With that said, it sounds like I would be out of commission for at least 4 weeks, and was told I would be in a sling for 6.  I understand in a perfect world this surgery would be the answer, but I have a partial tear and deciding whether or not to do surgery has been a tough decision.  Like I said, I'm about 90% ROM with no pain, and have no pain in any other day to day activities so to go from no pain, to in a sling for 6 weeks doesn't sound the most appealing to me.

[Thin Lizzy]

Had my MRI done this week, and was told I had a decent amount of tendon left, but was still diagnosed with a ruptured pec major.  He stated that the tendon tore away from the bone, but left a small 'cuff' of tissue still on the bone, and that it should be an easy fix.  The doc obviously stated that I needed surgery and wants to do so ASAP.  

With that said, after literally only one week, I have no pain right now.  Some bruising and swelling still, but ROM is 95% with no pain.  Have not tried any pressing movements yet,  but no pain as I type this.  Not feeling the 4-6 weeks in a sling and 6 month recovery if I don't really need it, but also do not want any long term issues such as a lack of strength in the area or extreme atrophy.  I'll never compete so having a minor dent when doing a most muscular is not that big of a deal to me.  

Has anyone tore their pec and opted out of surgery?  If so, what have the results been as time has passed?

I tore part of my rear delt and didn't have the surgery. There's noticeable bump where the fibers rolled up. At this point, the surgery would be strictly for cosmetic reasons. That said, if I could go back in time, I'd probably have it repaired.

[forillagorilla]

Go see a doctor dumbass... I don't know - makes more sense than anonymously coming to a website of retards and asking their opinion of your description of what happened

[Pete Nice]

Go see a doctor dumbass... I don't know - makes more sense than anonymously coming to a website of retards and asking their opinion of your description of what happened

Oh ok...would have never thought of that idea.  Thanks ForillaGorilla 

[oldtimer1]

Don't have it fixed if you have a partial tendon tear then when it feels better in a couple of months when you bench 225lbs for a couple of reps it will rip completely off leaving your arm gimpy and almost useless for any athletic activity.

[njflex]

I tore part of my rear delt and didn't have the surgery. There's noticeable bump where the fibers rolled up. At this point, the surgery would be strictly for cosmetic reasons. That said, if I could go back in time, I'd probably have it repaired.

HOW OR WHAT WERE YOU DOING TO TEAR THAT,80 LB REAR DELT RAISES LOL,,,SERIOUSLY..

[Mr Anabolic]

Don't have it fixed if you have a partial tendon tear then when it feels better in a couple of months when you bench 225lbs for a couple of reps it will rip completely off leaving your arm gimpy and almost useless for any athletic activity.

I was about to write the same thing.  This guy is coming up with all kinds of silly excuses why he cannot have the surgery.  During my 49 years on this earth, I have concluded that many people on this planet are morons.

[Thin Lizzy]

HOW OR WHAT WERE YOU DOING TO TEAR THAT,80 LB REAR DELT RAISES LOL,,,SERIOUSLY..

I did it in BJJ doing a Judo throw, Ippon Seo Nage (pic below). Apparently, I didn't warm up enough that day. When executing the the throw, I heard the classic "pop" of a muscle tear in the right side of my upper back.




Much like the majority of pec tears, it tore from the arm insertion.

[njflex]

I did it in BJJ doing a Judo throw, Ippon Seo Nage (pic below). Apparently, I didn't warm up enough that day. When executing the the throw, I heard the classic "pop" of a muscle tear in the right side of my upper back.

oh that makes sense then..damn,,i always figure lifting related..

[Pete Nice]

I was about to write the same thing.  This guy is coming up with all kinds of silly excuses why he cannot have the surgery.  During my 49 years on this earth, I have concluded that many people on this planet are morons.

What makes someone a moron is jumping in to something without exploring all of their options.  This site is for fellow training enthusiasts to come together in order to bounce ideas off of one another.  The first thing I did when this injury occurred was make an appointment with an orthopedic physician, have a MRI and get diagnosed, and then schedule an appt with another orthopedic in order to get a second opinion.

With all that said, I was operated this morning 03/12/15.  Doc said it was a clean tear from the bone with no additional damage.  I had the injury on 03/03/15, and had the procedure done 9 days later.  I'm a bit groggy obviously as I write this, but I will keep the thread updated a bit as I progress.

[Mr Anabolic]

What makes someone a moron is jumping in to something without exploring all of their options.  This site is for fellow training enthusiasts to come together in order to bounce ideas off of one another.  The first thing I did when this injury occurred was make an appointment with an orthopedic physician, have a MRI and get diagnosed, and then schedule an appt with another orthopedic in order to get a second opinion.

With all that said, I was operated this morning 03/12/15.  Doc said it was a clean tear from the bone with no additional damage.  I had the injury on 03/03/15, and had the procedure done 9 days later.  I'm a bit groggy obviously as I write this, but I will keep the thread updated a bit as I progress.

Congrats and get well soon.

[Hulkotron]

What is your length and girth?

I can diagnose your case after you provide these data.

[Pete Nice]

10x10 Brothaman.

[SF1900]

Why did you go to the doctor? Getbig Doctors were not sufficient for you? 

[Pete Nice]

Congrats and get well soon.

Thanks man. It's been a lot better going so far than I thought.  I realize that I have a long road ahead of me, but Im much more mobile than I would have thought at this stage.  Days 1-3 were brutal though.

[WalterWhite]

Thanks man. It's been a lot better going so far than I thought.  I realize that I have a long road ahead of me, but Im much more mobile than I would have thought at this stage.  Days 1-3 were brutal though.

Glad things are moving along for you.

 I am shocked I never tore a pec when I was powerlifting.

[muscularny]

If you have serious pain while wiping your ass.

we are talking about a serious bodybuilder here which means he cant reach to wipe his own ass. Now obviously if he does g4p he might have pain while wiping his ass but it wont be pec pain