Avulsion of the pectoralis major tendon in a weight lifter: repair using a barbed staple.

Avulsion of the pectoralis major tendon is uncommon. The usual mechanism is a sudden muscular contraction with the rupture occurring at any point between the muscle's origins on the clavicle and sternum and its tendinous insertion on the humerus. At least half the reported cases involve athletes. Primary repair is recommended. Surgical correction using a barbed bone staple to reattach the tendinous portion of the pectoralis major to its attachment at the lateral lip of the bicipital groove has not previously been described. The authors obtained an excellent postoperative result in a 20-year-old competitive weight lifter who was able to return to active body-building competition. They advocate prompt surgical correction of this lesion in any active healthy person.