Rupture of the Short Head of the Biceps Brachii Muscle Belly Caused by a Rock-Climbing Accident

Pectoralis Major Tendon Rupture While Bouldering

Pectoralis major tendon ruptures are rare injuries. We present a case of a pectoralis major tendon rupture incurred while bouldering that required surgical repair. The diagnosis of pectoralis major tendon rupture relies predominantly on clinical examination. Among athletes, outcomes after surgical repair are superior to those after nonoperative therapy in most cases of complete tendon rupture. Although infrequent, pectoralis major tendon ruptures can occur while climbing, and early recognition and expedited surgical treatment are paramount to maximize functional recovery.

Rupture of the Short Head of the Biceps Brachii: Arthroscopic Repair

Background:

Short head of the biceps brachii rupture is a rare lesion, and usually happens in high-speed sports such as parachuting and wakeboarding in traction mechanism, resulting in loss of biceps function. Early surgical treatment achieves better clinical outcomes. There is no isolated short head of the biceps brachii arthroscopic repair described in literature.

Indications:

Acute traumatic short head of the biceps brachii rupture in active patients.

Technique Description:

Short head of the biceps brachii and coracobrachialis nonabsorbable double suture. Short head of the biceps brachii reinsertion in coracoid process with an anchor.

Results:

Satisfactory repair of the biceps lesion. The patient regained active range of motion in 8 weeks and full return to sport in 16 weeks.

Conclusion:

Isolated short head of the biceps brachii arthroscopic repair is a minimally invasive technique with good functional result and has not been described in the literature yet. It restores bicep’s function and a satisfactory return to sport. The author(s) attests that consent has been obtained from any patient(s) appearing in this publication. If the individual may be identifiable, the author(s) has included a statement of release or other written form of approval from the patient(s) with this submission for publication.

Evaluation of a four-week Adjunct Compensatory Training for the treatment of climbing-specific overstrain syndromes of the shoulder

BACKGROUND

 Although climbing is an increasingly popular sport, there is a lack of scientific evaluation of suitable training methods for climbers, especially with a view to prevention and rehabilitation. A specific rehabilitation program, Adjunct Compensatory Training (ACT), has recently been presented, but it has not been evaluated scientifically to date.

OBJECTIVE

 To investigate the effects of Adjunct Compensatory Training on climbing-specific overstrain syndromes of the shoulder.

METHODS

 Twenty active boulderers and climbers with an average age of 28.9 (± 7.4) years performed a guided shoulder program of six specific exercises from the ACT program over a period of four weeks. They were examined before and after the intervention. Pre- and post-interventional measurements included the Constant-Murley Score, the QuickDASH Score and the measurement of shoulder ROM (range of motion).

RESULTS

 The Constant-Murley Score increased from 82 (± 10.0) to 104.1 (± 8.2) at follow-up (p < 0.001). The VAS value for bouldering and climbing decreased from 5.25 (± 1.4) before to 2.4 (± 1.6) after the intervention (p < 0.001). Shoulder flexion increased from 167.5 (± 14.9) to 173.1 (± 7.7) after the intervention (p < 0.05), abduction from 172.5 (± 14.9) to 179.6 (± 5.9) (n. s.), external rotation from neutral zero position from 77.6 (± 16.8) to 86.3 ± (8.3) (p < 0.05). Feasibility and acceptance of the intervention were good. Ninety-five percent of the participants continued to exercise, and 100 percent recommended the program to others.

CONCLUSION

 The ACT led to an improvement in pain, activities of daily living, range of motion and strength in boulderers and climbers with overstrain symptoms of the shoulder. It is also classified as a realistically feasible workout. The extent to which this effect will continue, and whether or not the program can prevent injuries, remains to be seen. It can only be presumed that regular exercises prevent shoulder injuries in the climbing population.