Pec Tendon Tear
What Is a Pec Tendon Tear?
The pectoralis major (pec) muscle is the large, fan-shaped muscle across the front of the chest, responsible for pulling the arm across the body and rotating it inward. Its tendon attaches to the humerus near the shoulder. A pec tendon tear occurs when this tendon is torn away from its attachment on the arm bone, most often at the point where the tendon meets the bone.
What Causes a Pec Tendon Tear?
- Bench pressing, particularly when the bar is lowered too far or the weight is too heavy for the muscle to control — one of the most common causes seen in weightlifters
- Any forceful, sudden stretching of the pec muscle while it’s actively contracting, such as during a fall with the arm forced backward and outward
- Direct trauma to the chest or shoulder in some cases
- Anabolic steroid use, which has been associated with a higher risk of this injury in some studies, likely related to changes in tendon quality
What Are the Symptoms of a Pec Tendon Tear?
- A sudden, sharp pain in the chest or shoulder area at the moment of injury, often described as a tearing or ripping sensation
- An audible pop
- Rapid bruising and swelling across the chest and upper arm, often quite dramatic and extending down the arm over the following days
- Visible deformity, with the normal contour of the chest muscle appearing to bunch up or retract toward the center of the chest
- Weakness pulling the arm across the body or performing a bench press or push-up motion
Is the Bruising From a Pec Tear Normal?
Yes — extensive bruising is actually one of the hallmark signs of a pec tendon tear, and it often surprises patients with how far it spreads, sometimes extending from the chest down the entire inner arm within a few days. This happens because the tendon has a significant blood supply, and tearing it causes noticeable bleeding into the surrounding tissue. While alarming to see, the bruising itself isn’t dangerous and typically resolves over several weeks.
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Treatment Options for a Pec Tendon Tear
Nonsurgical treatment may be considered for partial tears, tears in the muscle belly rather than the tendon, or in patients with lower activity demands who are willing to accept some permanent weakness and change in chest contour.
Surgery is generally recommended for complete tears, particularly in athletes, weightlifters, or physically active patients who want to restore full strength. Surgical repair reattaches the torn tendon back to its normal position on the humerus using suture anchors, ideally performed within the first few weeks after injury, since a tendon that has retracted and scarred for an extended period becomes progressively more difficult to fully restore to its original length and position. Learn more on our Pec Tendon Repair page.
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