Isolated Tear of the Pectoralis Minor Tendon in a Professional American Football Quarterback: A Case Report.

CASE: A 27-year-old right-hand-dominant National Football League (NFL) quarterback injured his right shoulder after falling with the elbow flexed and the shoulder flexed and slightly abducted. He noted an immediate onset of right anterior shoulder pain, but was able to continue playing and throwing without notable deficit. Magnetic resonance imaging of the chest revealed an isolated tear of the pectoralis minor tendon. The patient received nonoperative local treatment and was able to start as quarterback at the next game.

CONCLUSION: An isolated pectoralis minor tear in the dominant arm of a professional throwing athlete may be successfully treated with nonoperative local treatment and shoulder strengthening and stabilization exercises, allowing an early return to competition.