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Pagkumpuni ng Pectoralis Major

Rehabilitation protocol after pectoralis major repair, with the protected safe zone and staged return to chest loading.

Updated Jun 2026
Illustrasyon ng isang tao na sumusuporta sa kanyang forehand sa harap ng dibdib, nakatayo nang tuwid.
Pagpapanatili ng braso sa ligtas na posisyon habang ang paggaling ng pagkumpuni ng pectoralis major ay nangyayari. Kieran Hirpara 4.0

Ang pahinang ito ay isinalin ng makina at hindi pa nasusuri ng isang doktor. Ang bersyong Ingles ang siyang opisyal.

Ang protokol na ito ay gabay sa iyong paggaling pagkatapos ng pagkukumpuni ng pectoralis major kay Dr. Kieran Hirpara sa Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. Ang bawat yugto sa ibaba ay nagsisimula sa isang paliwanag sa simpleng wikang Ingles tungkol sa nangyayari at sa pinakamahalaga, kasunod ng estrukturadong detalye na kailangan ng iyong pisioterapeuta; dalhin ang pahinang ito o ang PDF nito sa iyong unang bisita sa pisioterapiya upang manatiling koordinado ang iyong rehabilitasyon. Maaaring baguhin ng iyong pisioterapeuta ang plano depende sa pag-unlad ng iyong paggaling.

Kung mayroon kang anumang alalahanin tungkol sa iyong sugat pagkatapos ng operasyon, makipag-ugnayan sa mga kwarto. Karaniwang makakatulong na kunan ng litrato ang sugat at ipadala ito sa pamamagitan ng email para sa pagsusuri. Ang incision ay nasa malapit sa kulubot ng kilikili, kung saan nagtitipon ang pawis at kahalumigmigan; panatilihing malinis at tuyo ito, at agad na iulat ang anumang pamumula, paglabas ng likido, o lagnat.

Ano ang inaasahan

Ang pectoralis major ay ang makapangyarihang kalamnan sa dibdib na nagpapagalaw sa mga kilos ng pagpindot at yakap: bench press, push-ups, at pagdala ng braso patungo sa katawan. Karaniwang nangyayari ang sugat sa isang batang lalaki habang naglilift ng mabigat na bench press, partikular sa yugto ng pagbaba, kung kailan ang kalamnan ay naaunat at may bigat sabay-sabay. Ang pagkukumpuni nito ay muling pinag-uugnay ang sugat na tendon, at ang buong programa ay nakabase sa isang simpleng ideya: panatilihin ang pinagkukumpuning tendon walang unat at walang bigat habang ito ay gumagaling.

Ang pectoralis major ay humihila ng braso patungo sa katawan at papasok, at paikutin ito papasok. Ang dalawang kilos na pinaka-nauuunat at pinakamabigat ang epekto sa pinagkukumpuning tendon ay pagpapalawak ng braso patungo sa gilid (abduction) at pag-ikot nito palabas (external rotation), lalo na kapag ginagawa nang sabay-sabay, na ito ang posisyon na nagdudulot ng sugat sa unang pagkakataon. Kaya’t sa maagang yugto, ang braso ay pinapanatili sa harap ng katawan, bahagyang paikutin papasok, at ang dalawang kilos na ito ay mahigpit na limitahan at dahan-dahang pinapayagan nang kaunti-lang ang saklaw bawat yugto.

Dahil ang pinagkukumpuning tendon ang nagdudulot ng pagputol ng kalamnan mula sa buton kung ito ay sobrang bigatan, ang mabibigat na ehersisyo sa dibdib (bench press, flyes, dips, push-ups, at mga sport na may kontak) ay disenyong ipinapahinga hanggang apat hanggang anim na buwan. Mas matagal ito kaysa sa pakiramdam na dapat maging katagalan ng paggaling, ngunit ito ang pinakamahalagang hakbang upang protektahan ang iyong pinagkukumpuning tendon.

Ang iyong timeline ay nakadepende rin sa kung paano ginawa ang pagkukumpuni ng tendon. Ang bone-tendon repair (kung ang tendon ay muling nakadikit sa buto ng itaas na braso gamit ang mga anchor o buttons) ay mas mabagal ang paggaling kaysa sa tendon-to-tendon repair, at mas maaga ito lumalabas sa sling. Ipapaliwanag ni Dr. Hirpara kung alin ang aplikable sa iyo. Sa buong programang ito, lumalakad ka pasulong kapag handa na ang iyong balikat, hindi lamang base sa kalendaryo: ang bawat yugto sa ibaba ay naglalarawan kung ano ang anyo ng "pagiging handa."

Ang pagkakagawa

Ang pag-aayos ng pectoralis major ay muling pinagkakabit ang sinira na tendon ng kalamnan sa dibdib. Karaniwan, ang tendon ay naputol sa kanyang pagkakabit sa itaas na buto ng braso (humerus), at ito ay muling pinagkakabit doon gamit ang matibay na sutures sa pamamagitan ng mga anchor o buttons; minsan, ang sugat ay nasa loob mismo ng tendon at ito ay tinahi pabalik. Ang tungkulin ng rehabilitasyon ay protektahan ang pagkakakabit habang ito ay gumagaling, pagkatapos ay unti-unting muling itayo ang buong galaw, lakas, at tiyak na puwersa sa pagtulak.

Pagsuot ng iyong sling

Magdudulot ka ng simpleng sling: Si Dr Hirpara ay gumagamit ng simpleng sling, hindi ng makapal na abduction-pillow o gunslinger brace. Iniiwasan ng sling ang iyong braso sa protektadong posisyon: sa harap ng iyong katawan at bahagyang nakaluwag paitaas, kung saan nakahinga ang pinagaling na kalamnan ng dibdib.

  • Suotin ang sling sa loob ng 4 hanggang 6 linggo (mas matagal itong nananatili sa posisyon kung ang pinagaling ay bone-tendon kaysa tendon-to-tendon; ipapaliwanag ni Dr Hirpara kung alin ang iyong kaso). Hindi mo kailangang matulog na may suot na ito.
  • Itatanggal lamang ito para sa pag-shower at para sa iyong mga ehersisyo, pagkatapos ipakita kung paano; kapag walang suot na sling, panatilihin ang iyong braso sa harap ng iyong katawan at kasama ang iyong gilid, hindi sa gilid at hindi nakaluwag paitaas.
  • Kapag pahinga sa bahay, maaari itong tanggalin kung magiging maingat: ang braso ay suporta sa unan, at panatilihin sa harap mo.
  • Gumamit ng yelo kung ang balikat ay namamaga o masakit, lalo na pagkatapos ng ehersisyo.

Habang nasa sling ka, bantayan ang iyong postura. Panatilihin ang iyong mga tainga, balikat, at balakang sa tuwid na linya at iwasan ang paglubog ng iyong mga balikat; ang maayos na postura ay nagpoprotekta sa iyong likod at tumutulong na maiwasan ang pagkatigas ng iyong balikat.

Mga pangunahing paalala — huwag gawin

  • HUWAG i-rotate ang braso palabas nang lampas sa lingguhang limitasyon na itinakda ng iyong pisyoterapeuta. Ang pag-rotate palabas ay nagsisimula sa tuwid na posisyon (neutral, 0°) at pinapayagang lumawak lamang ng humigit-kumulang 5° bawat linggo, dahil ang pag-rotate palabas ay nagtutugma sa pagkumpuni.
  • HUWAG ilabas ang braso sa gilid nang lampas sa maliit na halaga na pinapayagang bawat linggo, at huwag laging pagsamahin ang paglalabas ng braso sa gilid kasama ang pag-rotate nito palabos: ito ang posisyon na sumisira sa kalamnan.
  • HUWAG hayaang umuwi ang siko pabalik sa likod ng linya ng iyong dibdib (nagtutugma ito sa pagkumpuni); iwasan ito sa loob ng mahabang panahon pagkatapos sa gym.
  • HUWAG gumawa ng pendulum (braso na nakababa) o mga ehersisyong may stick-lever sa unang linggo; hindi karaniwan sa operasyon ng balikat, ang pag-iiwan ng braso na nakababa o paggamit ng stick upang itulak ang kalamnan ng dibdib na na-ayos. (Ang mga drill na may tulong ng stick ay darating sa huli, mula sa mga linggo 4.)
  • HUWAG itulak, pindutin o mag-load ng dibdib (walang bench press, flyes, dips, pec-deck, push-ups o contact sport) hangga't hindi pa inilalabas, hindi bago ang 4 hanggang 6 buwan.
  • HUWAG pilitin o i-stretch ang anumang galaw, at huwag gawin ang kalamnan ng dibdib na na-ayos nang direkta (resisted inward rotation o pressing) hangga't hindi pa nagsisimula ang iyong team, mula sa mga linggo 9.

Yugto I — Proteksyon (linggo 0–3)

Ang unang mga linggo ay lubos na nakatuon sa pagprotekta sa pinag-ayos na tendon habang ito ay dumidikit sa buto. Mananatili ka sa simpleng sling araw at gabi, na may hawak na braso sa harap at bahagyang nakaluwag paitaas. Ang iyong kamay, pulso, mga daliri, at siko ay nananatiling gumagalaw nang normal. Mula sa mga linggo 2, maaaring simulan ng iyong pisioterapeuta na dahan-dahang galawin ang balikat para sa iyo (pasibong paggalaw) sa ilalim ng mahigpit na limitasyon, ngunit walang ginagawa sa sariling lakas, walang pinipilit, at walang pendulum o stick exercises.

  • Sling: simpleng sling, braso sa harap at bahagyang nakaluwag paitaas, isinusuot araw at gabi.
  • Pinapayagang paggalaw: pasibo (tinutulungan) na paggalaw lamang, nagsisimula mula sa mga linggo 2 at pananatili sa mahigpit na limitasyon: panlabas na pag-ikot hanggang neutral (0°), pasulong na pagtaas hanggang mga 45°, at pagbukas ng braso sa gilid hanggang mga 30°. Ang iyong siko, pulso, at kamay ay malayang gumagalaw.
  • Mga ehersisyo: paggalaw ng kamay, pulso, at siko; dahan-dahang pagpi-pit ng kamay; pagtatakda ng scapula at mababang paghila para sa mga kalamnan sa paligid ng scapula (panatilihing mababa, malayo sa ilalim ng taas ng balikat). Walang pagbebenta ng kalamnan sa dibdib.

Handa na para sa susunod na yugto kapag: kontrolado na ang iyong sakit; gumaling na ang sugat na walang mga senyales ng problema; komportable ang iyong pasibong paggalaw sa loob ng mga limitasyong nasa itaas; at walang senyales na sobrang stress ang naipatupad sa pagkakaayos.

Yugto II — Pagpabalik ng galaw at pagbabawas ng paggamit ng sling (linggo 4–6)

Ang pagkukumpuni ay gumagaling at unti-unting binabawasan ang paggamit ng sling; mas maaga ito para sa bone-tendon repair (nang mga linggo 4) at medyo huli para sa tendon-to-tendon repair (nang mga linggo 5–6). Ang iyong protektadong paggalaw ay umuunlad lamang ng ilang degrees bawat linggo, at ang mga banayad na assisted (stick-assisted) na ehersisyo ay maaari nang simulan. Ang magaan na pag-igting ng kalamnan (isometric) na mga ehersisyo ay nagsisimula para sa mga kalamnan sa paligid ng balikat, ngunit hindi para sa kalamnan sa dibdib mismo, at hindi para sa inward rotation, dahil parehong nagbibigay ng karga sa pagkukumpuni.

  • Sling: binabawasan ang paggamit (nang mga linggo 4 para sa bone-tendon repair, linggo 5–6 para sa tendon-to-tendon repair).
  • Pinapayagang paggalaw: passive at assisted na paggalaw, na umuunlad ng humigit-kumulang 5° bawat linggo: outward rotation na umaakyat mula sa neutral, forward lift patungo sa humigit-kumulang 65–85°, at arm-out-to-the-side patungo sa humigit-kumulang 50°. Walang paggalaw na ginagawa sa sarili pa rin, at walang pagpapatuloy sa paglipas ng mga limitasyong linggo-linggo.
  • Mga ehersisyo: assisted forward lift habang nakahiga; assisted outward rotation gamit ang stick (lamang hanggang sa linggo-linggo limitasyon); press-and-hold (isometric) na mga ehersisyo para sa outward rotation, arm-out-to-the-side at arm-backward, hindi inward rotation; shoulder-blade setting.

Handa na para sa susunod na yugto kapag: wala ka nang sling; ang iyong protektadong paggalaw ay umuunlad ayon sa schedule; walang sakit sa harap ng balikat kapag nag-o-outward rotation hanggang sa limitasyon; at komportable ang iyong mga isometric na ehersisyo.

Yugto III — Aktibong paggalaw (linggo 6–8)

Mula sa humigit-kumulang anim na linggo, tinatanggal ang sling at nagsisimula kang gumalaw ng iyong braso gamit ang sarili mong lakas, nagsisimula sa mga madaling posisyon kung saan ang tulong ng grabidad ay pinakamaliit: nakahiga, o umaabot patungo sa kisame. Patuloy na binubuksan ang iyong mga protektadong saklaw ng galaw ng ilang degrees bawat linggo patungo sa buong saklaw. Pinapalakas ang mga kalamnan sa paligid ng balikat, at nagsisimula ang mga banayad na stretch para sa likod ng balikat, ngunit ang na-repair na kalamnan sa dibdib ay patuloy na iniiwan na lamang.

  • Sling: itinatapos.
  • Ginagawang galaw: patuloy na passive movement patungo sa buong saklaw (humigit-kumulang 5° na dagdag bawat linggo sa bawat direksyon), at nagsisimula ang aktibong paggalaw gamit ang sarili mong lakas. Pinapayagan ang magaan na pagdadala ng bigat sa pamamagitan ng braso.
  • Mga ehersisyo: supine punch (salute); outward rotation habang nakahiga sa gilid (walang bigat); resistance-band rows at trabaho para sa scapula; magaan na biceps; cross-body at sleeper stretches para sa likod ng balikat.

Handa para sa susunod na yugto kapag: ang iyong galaw ay buo o halos buo sa lahat ng direksyon; kayang mong galawin ang braso gamit ang sarili mong lakas na may mahusay na kontrol (walang pag-angat ng balikat o paghila); at walang sakit sa harap ng balikat.

Yugong IV — Nagsisimulang mag-load ang kalamnan sa dibdib (linggo 9–14)

Ito ang punto ng pagbabago: mula sa mga linggo 9, ang sariling pinag-ayos na kalamnan sa dibdib ay nagsisimulang gumana, dahan-dahan. Nagsisimula ito sa isang pinakurting (nakakapahinga) na posisyon at unti-unting lumalawak habang tinatanggap nito ang bigat. Ang pag-ikot papaloob, na sariling galaw ng kalamnan sa dibdib na disenyadong pinipigilan hanggang ngayon, ay ipinakilala din dito at dahan-dahang pinapalakas. Dapat buo ang galaw, at ang pokus ay lumilipat sa kontroladong, magaan na pag-load. Ang mas mabigat na pagtulak ay nananatiling naghihintay.

  • Galaw: buo o halos buong pasibo at aktibong paggalaw sa lahat ng direksyon (buo sa mga linggo 12–14 para sa bone-tendon repair).
  • Mga ehersisyo: magaan na mga drill para sa pag-ikot papaloob at pagpiga ng kalamnan sa dibdib, nagsisimula sa pinakurting na posisyon; pag-ikot papaloob gamit ang baston; outward rotation gamit ang band; PNF diagonal patterns gamit ang band (kontroladong diagonal na mga galaw na itinatag ng iyong physiotherapist).

Handa na para sa susunod na yugong kapag: mayroon kang buo, walang sakit na paggalaw; at kayang gawin ang mga magaan na drill ng kalamnan sa dibdib nang walang anumang sakit pagkatapos.

Yugto V — Pagpapalakas (linggo 14–20)

Mula sa mga linggo 14, nagsisimula ang tamang pagpapalakas ng dibdib (magaan na timbang at resistensya, o "isotonics"), na unti-unting pinapalakas nang simetriko sa kabilang bahagi. Nagsisimula ang mga push-up laban sa pader at unti-unting lumalapit sa sahig lamang kung pinapayagan ng lakas. Dalawang alituntunin sa gym ang may malaking epekto sa mahabang panahon, dahil sila ang naglalagay ng bigat sa inayos na tendon na paraan ng pagputol nito: huwag hayaang lumapit ang iyong siko sa likod ng linya ng iyong katawan sa pinakababang punto ng press, flye, o pec-deck; at iwasan ang mabibigat na timbang na may mababang paulit-ulit: piliin ang mas magaan na mga karga at mas maraming paulit-ulit, at magpahangin nang dahan-dahan.

  • Galaw: buo.
  • Mga ehersisyo: mga push-up sa pader na unti-unting lumalapit sa sahig; panloob na pag-ikot laban sa isang banda; overhead triceps; magaan, progresibong trabaho sa dibdib at pagpindot; isang banayad na pag-unat ng dibdib sa pinto.

Handa para sa susunod na yugto kapag: ang iyong lakas ay pantay na tumitibay kumpara sa kabilang bahagi; at walang sakit sa resistadong trabaho sa dibdib.

Yugto VI — Maagang pagbabalik sa isports (5–6 na buwan)

Ang braso ay malakas na ngayon at may buong saklaw ng galaw, at ang pagsasanay ay nagiging espesipiko sa iyong isports, kabilang ang mas mabilis at mas pampalakas (plyometric) na mga ehersisyo tulad ng chest passes at mga posisyon sa paghagis. Ito ay paghahanda para sa pagbabalik sa isports, hindi pa pamamahala na walang limitasyon sa mabibigat na pagpapabigat.

  • Galaw: buo.
  • Mga ehersisyo: panlabas at panloob na pag-ikot sa posisyon ng 90/90 (isports); mga plyometric na ehersisyo sa dibdib at paghagis ayon sa utos ng iyong pisikal na terapeuta.

Handa na para sa susunod na yugto kapag: nakapasa ka sa mga pagsusuri ng lakas at espesipikong gawain para sa iyong isports; at pinapayagan ka ni Dr. Hirpara at ng iyong pisikal na terapeuta.

Yugto VII — Walang limitasyong pagbabalik (6 na buwan pataas)

Mula sa humigit-kumulang anim na buwan, may pahintulot, muling magtatrabaho at maglalaro nang buong lakas. Ibalik ang bench press sa humigit-kumulang kalahati ng dating maximum nimo at dahan-dahang palakihin, at hindi bababa sa anim na buwan ang pagbabalik sa mga sport na may kontak. Ang pagbabalik ay nakabase sa lakas na hindi bababa sa 85–90% ng kabilang bahagi at sa pahintulot ni Dr. Hirpara, hindi lamang sa kalendaryo.

  • Galaw: buo.
  • Mga ehersisyo: buong pagbabalik sa mabibigat na pagpindot at pag-angat, dahan-dahang pagtaas mula sa magaan na bigat, at buong pagsasanay na espesipiko sa sport.

Handa kapag: ang iyong lakas ay hindi bababa sa 85–90% ng kabilang bahagi; mayroon kang buo, walang sakit na galaw at katatagan na walang reaktibong sakit pagkatapos ng mabigat na bigat; at parehong nagbigay-pahintulot si Dr. Hirpara at ang iyong pisyikal na terapeuta.

Pagbabalik sa isports at trabaho

Ang pagbabalik sa pagtataguyod ng dibdib at isports ay batay sa mga pamantayan: sapat na saklaw ng galaw, lakas, at tibay, na walang sakit, at pinatutunayan ni Dr. Hirpara at ng iyong pisyoterapeuta, hindi lamang nakadepende sa kalendaryo.

  • Trabaho: trabahong sedentaryo ayon sa kakayahan; trabahong manual o mabigat mula sa hindi bababa sa 3 buwan.
  • Pagmamaneho: humigit-kumulang 6 hanggang 8 linggo.
  • Magaan na pagsasanay sa lakas ng dibdib: mula sa mga linggo 14.
  • Bench press, mabigat na pagtatayo, push-ups, at isport na may kontak: hindi bago ang 4 hanggang 6 buwan, at lamang kapag naibalik na ang iyong lakas; ang bench press ay muling sisimulan sa humigit-kumulang kalahati ng dating maximum at dahan-dahang papalakasin.

Para sa mga isport na may paghuhubog at kontak, kumpletuhin ang isang programa ng unti-unting pagpapalakas bago ang walang limitasyong paglalaro.

Ang mga maagang ehersisyo

Ito ang mga banayad na ehersisyo para sa maagang yugto (pagprotekta), nagsisimula sa ward at patuloy sa bahay, ginagawa habang nakapagpapaunahan ang iyong operadong braso at ang mga kalamnan ng balikat ay nakarelaks. Simulan ito ayon sa gabay ng iyong pisyoterapeuta, at itigil ang anumang nagdudulot ng matulis na sakit sa balikat. Tandaan ang mga maagang alituntunin: wala pang pendulum o stick exercises, at huwag kailanman ilabas ang braso sa gilid at paikutin palabas nang sabay-sabay.

Pagkatapos ng iyong protocol

Ang protocol na ito ay nagtatrabaho kasama ng pangkalahatang payo para sa paggaling ng klinika: tingnan ang pamamahala ng sakit pagkatapos ng operasyon at pag-aalaga sa sugat.


Evidence & references

Pectoralis Major Tendon Repair -- Post-operative Rehabilitation

Topic scope: Rehabilitation after surgical repair of a pectoralis major (PM) tendon rupture/tear (typically a humeral-insertion avulsion in a 20-40 yr-old male, classically during the eccentric phase of a bench press). Covers protected positioning, the early restrictions on abduction (ABD) and external rotation (ER), ROM progression, when active ROM and strengthening start, and return to heavy lifting / bench press / sport.

Defining principle (contrast with frozen-shoulder release): PM repair rehab is a classic protect-the-repair protocol -- the OPPOSITE of frozen-shoulder release. The repaired tendon runs anteriorly to its humeral insertion; abduction and external rotation stretch/tension the repair, so both are strictly limited early and the arm is held in adduction + internal rotation in a sling/immobiliser. Progression is deliberately slow, and heavy resisted pec loading (bench press, flyes, dips, contact sport) is delayed to ~4-6 months to avoid re-rupture.

A key modifier throughout: repair type dictates the timeline. Bone-tendon repairs (suture anchors/cortical buttons into humerus) heal slower than tendon-tendon or muscle-tendon repairs and wean from the sling later (MGH protocol).


CONSENSUS PHASED TIMELINE

Synthesised from the Mass General Brigham (MGH) Sports Medicine protocol (rev. 7/2023, the most granular degree-by-degree protocol) and the University Orthopedics protocol, cross-checked against the published literature (Cordasco/HSS 2017; Manske & Prohaska 2007; Schepsis 2000; Haley/Zacchilli 2014). Both published protocols agree on the core structure; the ROM numbers below are the MGH degree targets.

Phase Window Sling / position ROM allowed + RESTRICTIONS Active ROM Strengthening RTS / lifting
I -- Immediate 0-3 wk (UnivOrtho: 0-2 wk) Sling/immobiliser, arm in NEUTRAL or INTERNAL ROTATION, worn day & night PROM only, started ~week 2. ER limited: start at 0 deg in adduction, progress ~5 deg/week. Flexion start 45 deg, +5-10 deg/wk. ABD start 30 deg, +5 deg/wk. Elbow/wrist/hand AROM free. No active shoulder motion; no ER beyond limit; no abduction/extension stretch None at shoulder (distal joints only) Wk 3: periscapular only (inferior glide <35 deg ABD, low row), ball squeeze. No pec loading None
II -- Intermediate 4-6 wk Begin weaning sling: bone-tendon at 4 wk; tendon-tendon / muscle-tendon at 5-6 wk (UnivOrtho: immobiliser to 6 wk for all) PROM continues (ER +5 deg/wk; flex +5-10 deg/wk to ~65-85 deg; ABD +5 deg/wk to ~50 deg). Begin AAROM (cane flexion, cane ER stretch, washcloth press). Still no aggressive ER/ABD past targets AAROM introduced Submaximal isometrics: ABD, extension, ER -- explicitly NO IR isometrics (IR/adduction tension the pec); periscapular setting None
III -- Late 6-8 wk Sling discontinued PROM continue to full (ER, flex, ABD each +5 deg/wk to full). Initiate AROM (supine flexion, salutes, supine punch). Can begin weight-bearing through arm Active ROM starts ~6 wk Sidelying ER, periscapular rows/extension, biceps/triceps; rhythmic stabilisation; sleeper/cross-body stretch None
IV -- Transitional 9-14 wk None Restore full PROM/AROM (full by wk 12-14 for bone-tendon) Full Initiate shoulder IR isometrics + pec major isometrics (~week 9) -- shortened position first, then lengthened; ER w/ band, ABD; PNF D1/D2 None
V -- Advanced strengthening 14-20 wk (~3.5-5 mo) None Full Full Pectoralis isotonics begin; IR w/ band, counter push-ups -> push-ups, lat pulldowns; doorway pec stretch gentle Begin sport-specific prep
VI -- Early return to sport 5-6 months None Full Full ER/IR at 90 deg, plyometrics (med-ball chest pass, ball drops, 90/90 throws) Begin return-to-sport program when criteria met
VII -- Unrestricted RTS 6+ months None Full Full Bench press resumed at 50% 1-RM, progress slowly with physician; full return to strenuous work, recreation, contact sport NOT before 6 months Heavy lifting / bench press / contact sport: 6+ months, criterion-based

Key numeric consensus points

  • Sling: ~4-6 weeks (4 wk bone-tendon may wean earlier; 6 wk common; UnivOrtho keeps immobiliser a full 6 wk), arm in adduction/internal rotation.
  • ER early limit: 0 deg at the side, advance ~5 deg/week -- because ER tensions the anterior repair.
  • ABD/flexion early limit: ABD ~30 deg and flexion ~45 deg initially, advancing ~5-10 deg/week.
  • Active ROM: ~6 weeks.
  • Isometrics: scapular wk 3; submaximal shoulder (ABD/ext/ER, no IR) wk 4-6; pec/IR isometrics ~wk 9 (Phase IV).
  • Pec isotonics / push-ups: ~14 weeks (Phase V).
  • Bench press / heavy lifting / contact sport: deferred to ~4-6 months (MGH: 50% 1-RM bench at 6+ mo; UnivOrtho: light bench from ~4 mo with very light resistance, no contact until 6 mo).

The rationale for restricting ER and ABD is biomechanical: the PM is a strong adductor, internal rotator and flexor; abduction + external rotation is the position of maximal stretch on the anterior insertion (this is the injuring mechanism -- eccentric load in abduction/ER, e.g. bench press), so it maximally tensions the repair (Maier 2021; Schepsis 2000; Provencher 2010). Biomechanical work shows transosseous sutures, suture anchors and cortical buttons confer similar repair strength, and early activity should stay below identified failure loads until soft-tissue- to-bone healing is reliable (Sherman 2012; Edgar 2017) -- the biomechanical basis for the slow progression.


OUTCOMES / RETURN TO SPORT EVIDENCE

  • Surgical > non-operative for restoring strength/function: objective strength testing shows repair recovers significantly more peak torque and work than conservative care (Hanna 2001 -- comparative cohort); literature "strongly supports early operative treatment" of complete tears in active patients/athletes (Kircher 2010 review; Schepsis 2000). Acute repair > chronic/delayed repair (Schepsis 2000).
  • Return to sport in repaired athletes is generally good, with most returning by ~6 months to a year; Cordasco (HSS, 2017, n=40 acutely repaired athletes) reported high RTS and functional scores with low re-operation. Faster individual returns (5-7 mo) are reported in single cases but 6 months is the consensus floor for heavy/contact loading.

KEY CONTROVERSIES / VARIABLES

  1. Sling duration & wean point. 4 wk vs 6 wk; MGH ties it to repair type (bone-tendon later); UnivOrtho fixes 6 wk for all. No RCT defines the optimum. Weak/consensus.
  2. How fast to advance ER/ABD. ~5 deg/week is widely used but arbitrary; tissue quality, tear size and fixation method modify it -- larger tears / poor tissue / chronic repairs progress slower. Expert opinion.
  3. Repair construct. Cortical button vs suture anchor vs transosseous -- biomechanically similar (Sherman 2012; Edgar 2017), so construct should not, in principle, change the rehab timeline, but surgeons individualise. Strong biomechanical, weak clinical.
  4. RTS timing for bench press / contact sport. Range 4-6 months across protocols; no high-level evidence sets the safe threshold -- driven by re-rupture fear and biomechanical failure-load data, not RCTs. Weak/consensus.
  5. Acute vs chronic / augmentation. Chronic or retracted tears may need allograft or autograft (semitendinosus) augmentation and a more conservative timeline (Neumann 2018 dermal allograft: 6 wk full immobilisation then 4-phase PT from wk 6; Garofo 2025 semitendinosus technique). Weak (technique notes/small series).
  6. Overall evidence base. Almost entirely retrospective cohorts, technique notes and biomechanical studies -- no RCTs of one rehab protocol vs another for PM repair. The whole timeline is consensus/expert, anchored by biomechanical failure-load data. Flag: WEAK.

EVIDENCE STRENGTH FLAGS (summary)

  • STRONG: biomechanical failure-load / repair-construct comparisons (Sherman 2012; Edgar 2017 -- cadaveric, controlled) -- these justify the load restrictions.
  • MODERATE: surgical vs conservative superiority (Hanna 2001 comparative; Schepsis 2000; Cordasco 2017 n=40 outcome series; Campbell's / Pochini 2014 prospective 60-case series).
  • WEAK / CONSENSUS ONLY: every specific rehab parameter -- sling duration, ER/ABD degree-per- week limits, AROM/strengthening start weeks, 4-6 month RTS/bench-press timing. Derived from institutional PT protocols (MGH, University Orthopedics) and narrative reviews (Manske/Prohaska 2007; Haley/Zacchilli 2014; Maier 2021), not RCTs.

CITATIONS

RAG corpus (180,000+ Orthopaedic articles)

  • Cordasco FA, Mahony GT, Tsouris N, et al. Pectoralis major tendon tears: functional outcomes and return to sport in a consecutive series of 40 athletes. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2017;26(3):458-463.
  • Kang RW, Mahony GT, Cordasco FA. Pectoralis major repair with cortical button technique. Arthroscopy Techniques. 2014.
  • Haley CA, Zacchilli MA. Pectoralis major injuries. Clin Sports Med. 2014.
  • Schepsis AA, Grafe MW, Jones HP, et al. Rupture of the pectoralis major muscle. Am J Sports Med. 2000;28(1):9-15.
  • Sherman SL, Lin EC, Verma NN, et al. Biomechanical analysis of the pectoralis major tendon and comparison of techniques for tendo-osseous repair. Am J Sports Med. 2012.
  • Hanna CM, Glenny AB, Stanley SN, et al. Pectoralis major tears: comparison of surgical and conservative treatment. Br J Sports Med. 2001.
  • Kircher J. Surgical and nonsurgical treatment of total rupture of the pectoralis major muscle in athletes: update and critical appraisal. Open Access J Sports Med. 2010.
  • Maier J, Oak SR, Soloff L, et al. Management of common upper extremity injuries in throwing athletes: a critical review of current outcomes. JSES Rev Rep Tech. 2021;1(4).
  • Neumann JA, Klein CM, van Eck CF, et al. Outcomes after dermal allograft reconstruction of chronic or subacute pectoralis major tendon ruptures. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018. (6 wk full immobilisation; PT from wk 6, 4 phases)
  • Garofo AGP, Medina G, Schor B. Acute pectoralis major tendon tear reconstruction with semitendinosus augmentation: a technique note. JSES Rev Rep Tech. 2025;5(4).
  • Azar FM, Canale ST, Beaty JH. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics (cites Pochini 2014 prospective 60-case series; Edgar 2017 repair-configuration biomechanics; ElMaraghy classification). 2020.
  • (Provencher MT, Handfield K, Boniquit NT, et al. Injuries to the pectoralis major muscle: diagnosis and management. Am J Sports Med. 2010;38(8):1693-1705 -- cited within MGH protocol.)
  • (Manske RC, Prohaska D. Pectoralis major tendon repair post-surgical rehabilitation. N Am J Sports Phys Ther. 2007;2(1):22-33 -- cited within MGH protocol.)

Published rehab protocols (URLs)

  • Mass General Brigham (MGH) Sports Medicine -- Rehabilitation Protocol for Pectoralis Major Repair (rev. 7/2023): https://www.massgeneral.org/assets/MGH/pdf/orthopaedics/sports-medicine/physical-therapy/rehabilitation-protocol-for-pectoralis-major-repair.pdf (source for the degree-by-degree ER 0 deg +5/wk, flex 45 deg, ABD 30 deg limits; sling neutral/IR; bone-tendon vs tendon-tendon wean; pec isometrics wk 9, pec isotonics wk 14; bench 50% 1-RM at 6+ mo).
  • University Orthopedics, Inc. -- Pectoralis Major Repair Rehabilitation Protocol: https://universityorthopedics.com/assets/shoulder/PECTORALIS-MAJOR-REPAIR.pdf (immobiliser x6 wk; AROM ~6 wk; phased push-up progression; light bench from ~4 mo; no contact sport until 6 mo).
  • Additional concordant institutional protocols: Melbourne Orthopaedic Group https://mgorthopaedics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/PECTORALIS-MAJOR-REPAIR-PROTOCOL.pdf ; Summit Orthopedics https://www.summitortho.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/6575_SURGICAL-Pect-Major-Repair-Protocol_6.22_MB.pdf

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