The effectiveness of postoperative rehabilitation protocol following pectoralis major tendon repair

Abstact Background.In recent years the occurrence rate of pectoralis major tendon injury has grown which is explained by an increasing interest in, and promotion of, a healthy lifestyle and a growing popularity of gyms, but early surgical treatment, even nowadays, not administrated in every case, especially with correct rehabilitation protocol.The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of postoperative rehabilitation protocol following PMT repair Materials and methods.The study includes the results of treatment of 33 patients, average age was 28.5±4.0 years. Treatment results were assessed in groups with surgical and conservative treatment at 6 and 12 months. In both groups, the outcomes were assessed using the basic DASH scoring questionnaire (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand - a scoring scale designed to assess the degree of incapacitation of the upper extremity) and its supplement that focuses on sportsrelated functions Results. After 6 months postoperative rehabilitation in Group 1, the average score according to the basic DASH questionnaire and its sports-focused supplement was 4.38±2.42 and 5.58±3.58, respectively; the same indices for Group 2 were 15.00±3.00 and 27.50±5.50, respectively. Following 12 months, we observed a deterioration of the results attained in both groups. In Group1, the average score was 6.31±2.43 for basic DASH questionnaire, and 7.37±4.72 for supplementary DASH questionnaire; in Group 2 20.43±3.82 and 41.25±9.50, for both DASH scores, respectively. In Group 2 treatment results were reliably worse both 6 months and 12 months after the injury. Conclusion. Surgical treatment exceeds conservative treatment in efficiency, even in case od old ruptures