Contents
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