Pectoralis Major Repair — Pectoralis Major Tendon Repair or Transfer

University of New Mexico (UNM) Sports Medicine · Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD…

Weight-Bearing

N/A (upper extremity)

Key Restrictions

Sling x 4 weeks (remove 3x/day for exercises); no passive ER or abduction x 6 weeks; ER limited to 0 degrees (arm at side) until 6 weeks; no running until 3 months post-op

Timeline & Phases

0-6 wks: sling (remove 3x/day for pendulums, finger/wrist/elbow ROM), sub-max RC isometrics, scapular strengthening, supervised PROM (flexion 60 deg, ER to 0 deg, abduction 90 deg); 6 wks: progress ER PROM to full, light Theraband ER, wall walks, wall push-ups, isotonic RC strengthening (up to 6-8 lbs), scapular strengthening; 3-6 months: standard push-ups, submax biceps/triceps, ok to run; 6 months: full return to sport if pain-free

Notes

PT starts 0-2 weeks post-op, 1-2x/week for 12+ weeks; covers both repair and transfer; revised 2025

Surgeon / Author

Will Curtis MD, Dustin Richter MD, Christopher Shultz MD, Gehron Treme MD, Andrew Veitch MD

Published

2025