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Latissimus dorsi

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Latissimus dorsi lesion

Definition

  • Very rare injury with little information available even though cases have been reported
  • Rarely seen in isolation, often occur in combination with adjacent shoulder girdle structures 1

Causes

  • Typically occurs in the settings of an acute traumatic event
  • Seen in athletes where upper body strength is required such as
    • Gymnasts
    • Crossfit
    • Powerlifting
    • Water-skiing
  • Often the injury occurs in a forceful contraction in a stretched position, in this case abducted and laterally rotated

Localization

  • Myotendinous junction about 10 cm proximal to its intact humeral insertion 2

 

Examination

  • Full passive elevation – painful
  • Resisted adduction – painful
  • Resisted medial rotation – painful
  • Palpation is painful at site of lesion

References

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4622375/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4622375/