Rehabilitation after pectoralis major tendon repair: sling protection, shoulder exercises, and return to sport

Squeeze a tennis ball or rolled-up sock for 6 seconds, then relax for up to 10 seconds.

For each exercise: 10 repetitions per set, 3 sets daily.

Bend and straighten the elbow; turn the forearm palm up and palm down; circle, bend, and straighten the wrist. Bring the fingers together, make a fist, and touch the thumb to each fingertip.

Practise for 3–5 minutes each hour.

Sit or stand upright, relax the shoulders, and squeeze the shoulder blades back and inward. Hold for 5 seconds.

Draw the shoulder blades toward the spine and downward. Hold for 5 seconds.

Lie on your back, holding a stick or cane with both palms facing up. Slowly raise it overhead, then lower it.

Lie on your back with both elbows bent to 90°, holding the ends of a stick. Use the unaffected arm to guide the operated arm outward, keeping its elbow close to your side.

Start with the elbows bent and hold a towel with the palms facing up. Raise it as high as possible, using as much help as possible from the uninjured or non-operated side.

Stand facing a wall with the toes about 30 cm away. Place both sets of fingertips on the wall and slowly walk them upward, keeping the arms parallel; repeat several times. Then stand sideways with the operated shoulder toward the wall and move the fingers upward with the shoulder abducted. Move closer as the range improves.

Lie on your side with a yoga block or other support between the arm and body so the upper arm is roughly parallel to the floor. Bend the elbow to 90° and draw the shoulder blade slightly inward. Keeping it stable, rotate the arm upward into about 80–90° of external rotation, then return.

Lie on your back with the elbow straight. Elevate the shoulder blade and reach the upper arm upward. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax.

Sit with your arm resting on a table and slowly reach your shoulder toward the corner of the table.

Sit or stand leaning forward with the operated arm hanging freely. Swing it forward, backward and side to side, allowing it to pass across the body midline during the inward movement.

Holding a dumbbell or water bottle, slowly raise the arm forward. Hold for 3–5 seconds and lower slowly.

Hold a dumbbell or water bottle and slowly raise the arm forward and out to the side. Hold for 3–5 seconds, then lower slowly.

Keep the elbow close to the trunk and slowly rotate the forearm outward against the resistance of an elastic band.

Keep the elbow close to the trunk and slowly rotate the forearm inward against the resistance of an elastic band.

Hold a ball at chest level with both hands. Straighten the arms forward to pass the ball.

Take a push-up position with your hands about 1.5 times shoulder width apart. Gently tuck the chin, keep the back straight and the buttocks engaged. Inhale as you lower and exhale as you push up.

Lie on your back and press the dumbbells up in front of the chest with the arms straight.

Lie on a bench and hold a barbell. Press upward from the chest until the arms are straight, then lower with control to approximately 90° of elbow flexion. Keep the trunk stable and a slight natural arch in the back.