Surgical procedures
Pectoralis major repair
Reattaching the torn chest tendon to the arm bone, restoring the strength and shape lost when the pectoralis major pulls away from the humerus.
Tendon reattachment
Outpatient
Restores pushing strength
What is a pectoralis major repair?
The pectoralis major is the large chest muscle that attaches by a tendon to the upper arm bone. A pectoralis major repair reattaches that tendon to its footprint on the humerus, using sutures held by anchors or passed through small bone tunnels.
Most tears happen in weightlifters during the bench press, as the bar is lowered and the loaded muscle is stretched. You may feel a tearing sensation and see bruising across the chest and upper arm, along with a change in the shape of the muscle. Repair is usually recommended soon after the injury, while the tendon can still be brought back to its original position. Repair is most straightforward in the first two to three weeks after the tear. Older tears, repaired months later, may need a tendon graft to bridge the gap left as the tendon shortens.
What & why
Why it's recommended
A complete tear of the pectoralis major tendon
Loss of pushing strength that limits training or work
A visible change in the contour of the chest
An active patient who wants to return to lifting
At a glance
Timing matters
The tendon is easiest to return to its original position soon after the tear, so a suspected complete rupture is worth having looked at promptly.
Anesthesia & hospital stay
The day of surgery
The repair is done through an incision at the front of the shoulder, along the crease where the chest meets the arm. You'll be asleep for the procedure and home the same day.
General anesthesia
Completely asleep, with a nerve block for comfort afterward.
1–2 hours
Time depends on the pattern of the tear and how long ago it happened.
Home same day
Pectoralis major repair is an outpatient procedure.
Outpatient setting
Performed at Summit Atlantic Surgery Center or Overlook.
Recovery timeline & milestones
Protect
A sling keeps the arm at your side. No pushing, pressing, or reaching behind you.
Restore motion
Therapy returns reach and rotation, still without loading the chest.
Build strength
Light resistance begins and progresses as the repair tolerates it.
Return to lifting
Pressing movements are added last, with bench press reintroduced gradually.
What recovery looks like
The tendon needs protected time to heal to the bone, so motion comes back before load.
Risks & benefits
Weighing the procedure
- Restored pushing and pressing strength
- A more normal chest contour
- A reliable return to training for most patients
- Repair of the tendon in its original position when done early
- Re-tearing of the repair, usually from returning to load too soon
- Stiffness in the shoulder during recovery
- Infection, uncommon with this procedure
- Temporary numbness near the incision
Treats these conditions
Pectoralis major repair is the surgical treatment for pectoralis major ruptures, most often seen in weightlifters after a bench press injury.
FAQ
Common questions
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Some people manage without surgery, but pushing strength stays weaker and the change in muscle shape remains. Dr. Cohn will talk through what your activities need.
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Most patients return to pressing movements after a full rehabilitation. Pressing is added at the end of recovery, and the weight is built back gradually.
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Earlier is generally better. Most surgeons aim to repair a complete tear within the first two to three weeks, while the tendon can still be brought back to where it started.
Related conditions