A person is more likely to experience rupture of the pectoralis major muscle if certain risk factors are present.
Most ruptures occur when the arm is abducted and externally rotated while the muscle is being maximally contracted.
Situations where the rupture may occur:
(1) physical labor (occupational)
(2) blunt trauma
(3) sport (rugby, skiing, sailboarding, hockey, parachuting, football, skateboarding, soccer)
(4) exercise (weight lifting or bench pressing, gymnastics)
(5) martial arts, boxing or wrestling
A person who abuses anabolic steroids may be at increased risk.
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Specialty: Surgery, orthopedic
ICD-10: ,
