This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Surgical release of tight pectoralis minor improved shoulder symptoms, function
Patients with a refractory and pathologically tight pectoralis minor who underwent surgical release experienced predictable return to function with notable improvement in shoulder symptoms, according to results.
Matthew T. Provencher, MD, and colleagues had 46 patients with symptomatic shoulder pain, limited range of overhead motion, inability to participate in overhead lifting activities and examination findings consistent with scapular dysfunction secondary to a tight pectoralis minor with tenderness to palpation of the pectoralis minor tendon undergo a lengthy physical therapy and stretching program. Researchers performed serial examination for resolution of symptoms and scapular tilt after patients completed the program. Scapular protraction measurements and pain scales, as well as American Should and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) and VAS scores were used to assess outcomes, according to researchers.
Results showed a dedicated therapy program resolved the tight pectoralis minor and scapular-mediated symptoms in 87% of patients. At a final follow-up of 26 months, researchers noted improved ASES, SANE and VAS scores among 13% of patients who were considered non-responders and elected to undergo surgical pectoralis minor release. Similar to results in nonoperative responders, researchers found improvement in the protraction of the scapula among non-responders from 1.2 cm to 0.3 cm in a mean midline measurement from the chest wall preoperatively to postoperatively. No patients reported surgical complications, according to results, with all patients returning to full activity. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Provencher reports he is a paid consultant for Arthrex Inc. and Joint Restoration Foundation, and received IP royalties from Arthrex Inc. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.