Isolated Traumatic Tear of the Middle Head of the Deltoid Muscle: A Case Report

JBJS Case Connect. 2021 Jan-Mar;11(1):e20.00305. doi: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.20.00305.

Abstract

Case: A 27-year-old male pedestrian struck presented with left shoulder pain and weakness 4 months postinjury, with an isolated middle head of the deltoid tear. The patient's pain persisted despite extensive nonoperative management. The deltoid was primarily repaired to the lateral acromion using a transosseous suture repair technique.

Conclusion: Suture repair of the deltoid to the acromion using transosseous tunnel fixation is a successful treatment for traumatic, isolated tears of the middle head of the deltoid muscle that fail conservative treatment. After surgical repair and physical therapy, our patient recovered full, pain-free range of motion and strength at 6 months.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acromion*
  • Adult
  • Deltoid Muscle* / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Rupture
  • Shoulder Pain