Well fellas I'm getting surgery Tues.

[Tommy Gunn]

As you guys know I suffered a partial pec tear on March 21. When I got my first MRI, the doctor said it was just a partial tear and not a rupture. I went for a second opinion weeks later and got another MRI.

My second doctor said that I had a partial tear but that I also had partially torn the tendon. He said it wasn't a rupture but a partial retraction. He said it is repairable and he could fix it.

He did say however that if I got it fixed right when it happened there would be a better chance for a success. However he did say even though the day of the surgery will be 7 weeks since the injury, the muscle was only partially retracted from the tendon (not a complete rupture) and that he was very confident that he could repair this and 6 months from now I will be as good as new.

Here was the findings and impression on the report of the MRI:

Findings: The examination shows a tear of the musculo-tendinous junction of the clavicular head of the pectoralis major muscle. This is about the area of the anterior-inferior aspect of the axilla. The tear is retracted with some fluid collection noted.

Impression: High-grade tear of the clavicular head of the pectoralis major muscle at the musculo-tendinous junction, with some retraction and fluid collection at the area of the tear.

A couple questions I have:

1) Even though this happened 7 weeks ago, can this be repaired? Is there a good chance the doctor will successfully repair this? Or am I screwed. Keep in mind this isn't a complete rupture.

2) What is the timeline like for my recovery? I know he said I should expect to be out of work 8-12 weeks.

[Doc.Sust]

i would go with the surgery, the 7 wks will not make or break the sucess of the surgery IMO.time line of recovery 3 to 6 months

[barbndr]

I agree. I wish I had more to add but I think your doctor answered those questions. Place your trust in the doctor, do the rehab, don't overdo it and you will recover.

[Tommy Gunn]

So you guys don't think me waiting 7 weeks to get this repaired will make it irrepairable? Why would he say to me "it's not guarunteed that I will be able to fix it. We will have to wait and see when I actually cut you. I feel confident that it can be repaired but I'll only truly know the day of the operation."

I read all the time on this site that if you don't get pec tears fixed right away (within a week) that you're screwed and it can't get fixed. The day of the operation will be 7 weeks since I injured this.

Both of you guys are awesome. I don't know what I would do without you two helping me the last few weeks. If the surgery is successful it will be my mission to get healthy and strong and mark my words I will one day climb through the ropes again to have another boxing match.

I just hope it's not too late. I hope waiting 7 weeks wasn't too long to get this fixed. You guys think I should be alright though?

[barbndr]

Based on what you've said thus far and the MRI reports, I think there is an excellent chance of recovery.

Your percentages do go up the earlier you have a tear repeaired, however this doesn't mean that you can' have a successful recovery. The MD himself said that only a small part of the muscle was retracted...and that is probably the most important part regarding surgery success.

I guess the best way to put it:

If it were me, I'd have the surgery, follow the recovery program to the letter, and have patience and a strong belief that I would get better. At this point that is the best way to pursue it. You'll drive yourself crazy with what ifs. My mindset would be: "The surgery will work. I will get better. I will get back into the ring in the future".

Good luck!