EME's Pec Tear Recovery Thread

**EME** · 12-30-2005, 12:33 AM

As many of you know, on Dec. 13th I suffered a major Rupture of my left Pectoralis Major while training. My pec completely tore away from the insertion on the humerus bone and retracted, rolling up into the middle of my chest. In the process of tearing, the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bone was shredded.

I underwent surgery on Dec. 19th to repair the muscle and tendon and reattach it to the bone.

As of today, Dec. 29th 2005, I am in the process of recovery.

In this log I will document my recovery from the surgery, my rehab, and my return to training after recovery.

First, here are some pictures for reference:

The first picture was taken about a month before the tear. I was in the last weeks of my 2005 mass building phase when the tear occurred.

The next picture was taken over the 3 days following the tear.
The bruising actually became much worse. By the time of my surgery on the 19th, my entire bicep, armpit, and chest was black, blue, purple, and green from the bruising and bleeding.

The final picture was taken the night of my surgery, after returning home.

Here is a picture showing exactly where on the muscle that my tear occurred.

Now I will begin the log detailing the road to my recovery.

Dec. 29th - 1st Post Op Visit

Dr. Fox, my Orthopedic Surgeon, did a physical examination of the muscle and let me know that he was very pleased with the way the reconstruction is looking. The symmetry seems to have been restored and the muscle is already starting to take shape again.

The support pad was removed from my sling / brace, and it is now just a regular sling... much more manageable.

Dr. Fox gave me some very simple movement exercises to begin doing twice daily. Note... these are VERY, VERY slight range of motion exercises.. nothing stressfull at all. Just a little something to get the muscle moving again, ever so gently.

I have to wear my sling for the next 4 weeks, and not use my left arm at all, except for the motion exercises I was given.

My next appointment is in 4 weeks, at which time my doc will evaluate whether I am ready to begin some limited physical therapy.

Finally, at the end of my appointment, my sutures and bandages were removed and I finally got to look at the incision. Lovely!... actually not as bad as I expected. It's a long incision... but it's already healing up nicely, and the doc doesn't expect the scar to be too bad. Nothing a little Pro Tan won't cover on stage.

We'll that's it for now. Feel free to ask any questions along the way.

I intend to document this entire process, both as therapy for me... and as an informative guide about this type of injury and recovery for our IronMass members.

- EME

~~2Ripped4U~~ · 12-30-2005, 12:35 AM

Good luck, and have a speedy recovery EME

,wow those pics make it look like a nasty injury

**NewSpawn** · 12-30-2005, 01:55 AM

hey EME, hang in there man, your gonna do great. nice documentation and i think, is very eye opening to those of us who have never experienced this. we're all pulling for your recovery.

~~2Ripped4U~~ · 12-30-2005, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NewSpawn

i think, is very eye opening to those of us who have never experienced this. we're all pulling for your recovery.

Indeed

**bubba g** · 12-30-2005, 02:18 AM

Glad to hear things are coming along nicely bro, and this is a great idea, should be an inspiration to anyone else who gets a muscle tear...

**Sixpack** · 12-30-2005, 02:58 AM

Hope everything gets back to normal man . You will be back don't worry man

Hybrid · 12-30-2005, 02:59 AM

Man, if I owned Scivation or was rich I'd ship some Xtend to you!!!! Best of luck in your recovery!! I'd bet my house everyone at ironmass is pulling for you!

Vegeto · 12-30-2005, 03:07 AM

Hi EME, I haven't responded in the thread your wife made, but I am aware of your injury and the surgury. I'm glad to see your in such good spirits about the whole thing and I am sure you are capable recovering like a champ.
:nosthumbs

**EME** · 12-30-2005, 05:40 PM

Thanks for the support guys.

Hopefully this will provide some good info and insight into what is involved with recovering from this type of injury.

I'm sure that documenting the process will be therapeutic for me, and helpful in my recovery.

- EME

**krzna** · 12-30-2005, 08:58 PM

as a guy with many injuries myself i'd like to see u r recovery time and how well u've recovered.

i hope everything goes well for u bro.

could u maybe throw in u r present sample diet. just to take a look how it looks like now that you are not training.

**EME** · 12-30-2005, 09:29 PM

Hey Krzna,

Here's the basic diet Ive been following since my tear.

I have a couple cheat meals on the weekends and usually throw in a salad or other green vegetable with either lunch or dinner. I also often substitute turkey on wheat sandwiches for the ground turkey and rice at lunch.

- EME

**************************

6:30 AM
3/4 Cup Oatmeal
1 Cup Skim Milk

9:00 AM
Dymatize Whey - 2 Scoops

11:30 AM
2 Cups Rice
6 oz Lean Ground Turkey
1 Tbsp Flax Oil

2:30 PM
Dymatize Whey - 2 Scoops

5:00 PM
Apple
2 Tbsp. Peanut Butter

7:00 PM
2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 Med/Large Baked Potato w/Fat Free Ranch

Daily Totals 2442cal 49.5g F 250g C 262.5g P
% Caloric Intake 18% F 40% C 42% P

Quote:

Originally Posted by krzna

could u maybe throw in u r present sample diet. just to take a look how it looks like now that you are not training.

animalfan · 12-31-2005, 12:28 AM

good luck mike, i'm sure you'll be back and better than ever.:nosthumbs

**EME** · 12-31-2005, 03:44 PM

Thank you for the support Animalfan. I really appreciate it bro.

Dec. 31st, 2005

I have started back on some supplements and I'm feeling much better.

I discontinued all supplements immediately after the tear, just to make sure nothing interfered with my surgery.

I have started back on CEE and NO2 and in addition I am taking in 20g daily of a Glutamine Peptide Matrix.

I am also supplementing 2-3 times per day with BCAA's.

I have lost a lot of weight since the injury, 12+ pounds, and I think a lot of it is the result of intracellular water loss from discontinuing the creatine.

Some of the weight loss is from muscle atrophy however.

My arms, chest, and shoulders are already significantly smaller, but I know this size will come back when I can begin training again.

Since starting back on the CEE a couple days ago I am already starting to fill back out.

I look the best today that I have looked since the surgery. I believe it's due to my muscles starting to rehydrate some.

I know I won't get the benefits from the CEE, etc... that I would when training.. but even if I get slightly more muscle hydration, that can only help with the recovery process.

Happy New Year Everyone! Be safe tonight.

- EME

**warriors** · 12-31-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EME

Thank you for the support Animalfan. I really appreciate it bro.

Dec. 31st, 2005

I have started back on some supplements and I'm feeling much better.

I discontinued all supplements immediately after the tear, just to make sure nothing interfered with my surgery.

I have started back on CEE and NO2 and in addition I am taking in 20g daily of a Glutamine Peptide Matrix.

I am also supplementing 2-3 times per day with BCAA's.

I have lost a lot of weight since the injury, 12+ pounds, and I think a lot of it is the result of intracellular water loss from discontinuing the creatine.

Some of the weight loss is from muscle atrophy however.

My arms, chest, and shoulders are already significantly smaller, but I know this size will come back when I can begin training again.

Since starting back on the CEE a couple days ago I am already starting to fill back out.

I look the best today that I have looked since the surgery. I believe it's due to my muscles starting to rehydrate some.

I know I won't get the benefits from the CEE, etc... that I would when training.. but even if I get slightly more muscle hydration, that can only help with the recovery process.

Happy New Year Everyone! Be safe tonight.

- EME

It sounds like you're handling everything with an open mind. Not to make you feel worse but if i was in you're position and couldnt lift and everything i would be severly depressed

But then again you can always look at Kendra and say "I dont have it so bad after all"

**EME** · 12-31-2005, 04:24 PM

Thanks warriors. I do get down sometimes, as bodybuilding is such a big part of my life.

But, whenever I start feeling bad, I just think about the good things I have in my life and realize that there are so many people who are so much worse off than I am. My situation is tough for me, but it's tiny compared to the problems that many others have.

I'll be back and better than ever eventually, and fortunately this is just a temporary setback.

Thanks for the comments and for following my log bro.

- EME

Quote:

Originally Posted by warriors

It sounds like you're handling everything with an open mind. Not to make you feel worse but if i was in you're position and couldnt lift and everything i would be severly depressed

But then again you can always look at Kendra and say "I dont have it so bad after all"

AaronM · 12-31-2005, 04:44 PM

Good luck with the recovery! I really respect your great attitude:nosthumbs! That injury looks very painful.

Lift · 12-31-2005, 04:48 PM

Hey man keep your head up and have a speedy recovery

Lift · 12-31-2005, 05:00 PM

Are you allowed to do any lower body work? Leg Press, Leg Curl that sort of thing?

12-30-2005, 12:33 AM	#1
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	EME's Pec Tear Recovery Thread As many of you know, on Dec. 13th I suffered a major Rupture of my left Pectoralis Major while training. My pec completely tore away from the insertion on the humerus bone and retracted, rolling up into the middle of my chest. In the process of tearing, the tendon that attaches the muscle to the bone was shredded. I underwent surgery on Dec. 19th to repair the muscle and tendon and reattach it to the bone. As of today, Dec. 29th 2005, I am in the process of recovery. In this log I will document my recovery from the surgery, my rehab, and my return to training after recovery. First, here are some pictures for reference: The first picture was taken about a month before the tear. I was in the last weeks of my 2005 mass building phase when the tear occurred. The next picture was taken over the 3 days following the tear. The bruising actually became much worse. By the time of my surgery on the 19th, my entire bicep, armpit, and chest was black, blue, purple, and green from the bruising and bleeding. The final picture was taken the night of my surgery, after returning home. Here is a picture showing exactly where on the muscle that my tear occurred. Now I will begin the log detailing the road to my recovery. Dec. 29th - 1st Post Op Visit Dr. Fox, my Orthopedic Surgeon, did a physical examination of the muscle and let me know that he was very pleased with the way the reconstruction is looking. The symmetry seems to have been restored and the muscle is already starting to take shape again. The support pad was removed from my sling / brace, and it is now just a regular sling... much more manageable. Dr. Fox gave me some very simple movement exercises to begin doing twice daily. Note... these are VERY, VERY slight range of motion exercises.. nothing stressfull at all. Just a little something to get the muscle moving again, ever so gently. I have to wear my sling for the next 4 weeks, and not use my left arm at all, except for the motion exercises I was given. My next appointment is in 4 weeks, at which time my doc will evaluate whether I am ready to begin some limited physical therapy. Finally, at the end of my appointment, my sutures and bandages were removed and I finally got to look at the incision. Lovely!... actually not as bad as I expected. It's a long incision... but it's already healing up nicely, and the doc doesn't expect the scar to be too bad. Nothing a little Pro Tan won't cover on stage. We'll that's it for now. Feel free to ask any questions along the way. I intend to document this entire process, both as therapy for me... and as an informative guide about this type of injury and recovery for our IronMass members. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.PhysiqueFXonline.com www.MichaelandKendra.com My wife, and IFBB Fitness Pro Kendra Elias' personal site: www.KendraElias.com Proud member of Team ALR: www.ALRIndustries.com Last edited by EME : 12-30-2005 at 01:54 AM.

12-30-2005, 02:58 AM	#6
Sixpack Optimum Sponsored athlete Join Date: May 2005 Location: Arizona Posts: 867 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 15	Hope everything gets back to normal man . You will be back don't worry man __________________ ["Tough Times Don't Last But Tough People Do" My Pops RIP http://www.optimumnutrition.com/ "Fueling your desire for success" www.rippedacadamy.com Mod-massmonsterz.com ISSA certified

12-30-2005, 02:59 AM	#7
Hybrid IMPC Contestant Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gibsonia PA Posts: 824 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 13	Man, if I owned Scivation or was rich I'd ship some Xtend to you!!!! Best of luck in your recovery!! I'd bet my house everyone at ironmass is pulling for you! __________________ If you even dream about beating me you'd better wake up and apologize - Muhammad Ali

12-30-2005, 03:07 AM	#8
Vegeto blameless sinner Join Date: May 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 803 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 15	Hi EME, I haven't responded in the thread your wife made, but I am aware of your injury and the surgury. I'm glad to see your in such good spirits about the whole thing and I am sure you are capable recovering like a champ. :nosthumbs __________________ ______________ ________________ ......Busy Training...... __________________ ________________ __________________

12-30-2005, 05:40 PM	#9
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	Thanks for the support guys. Hopefully this will provide some good info and insight into what is involved with recovering from this type of injury. I'm sure that documenting the process will be therapeutic for me, and helpful in my recovery. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.PhysiqueFXonline.com www.MichaelandKendra.com My wife, and IFBB Fitness Pro Kendra Elias' personal site: www.KendraElias.com Proud member of Team ALR: www.ALRIndustries.com Last edited by EME : 12-30-2005 at 08:18 PM.

12-30-2005, 12:35 AM	#2
~~2Ripped4U~~ Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: NY Posts: 1,463 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 0	Good luck, and have a speedy recovery EME ,wow those pics make it look like a nasty injury

12-30-2005, 01:55 AM	#3
NewSpawn Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,223 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 24	hey EME, hang in there man, your gonna do great. nice documentation and i think, is very eye opening to those of us who have never experienced this. we're all pulling for your recovery.

12-30-2005, 02:18 AM	#5
bubba g Moderator Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2,939 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 176	Glad to hear things are coming along nicely bro, and this is a great idea, should be an inspiration to anyone else who gets a muscle tear...

12-30-2005, 08:58 PM	#10
krzna Dogg Crappin Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Olangapo-Zambales,Philipines Posts: 1,599 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 49	as a guy with many injuries myself i'd like to see u r recovery time and how well u've recovered. i hope everything goes well for u bro. could u maybe throw in u r present sample diet. just to take a look how it looks like now that you are not training. __________________ *DIET DEDICATION DP** www.surpassgenetics.com www.offshorebodybuilding.com www.thevipboard.com Team Beast Breeder colossus@beastbreeder.com

12-31-2005, 12:28 AM	#12
animalfan Pro Stature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: michigan Posts: 217 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 14	good luck mike, i'm sure you'll be back and better than ever.:nosthumbs

12-31-2005, 03:44 PM	#13
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,264 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	Thank you for the support Animalfan. I really appreciate it bro. Dec. 31st, 2005 I have started back on some supplements and I'm feeling much better. I discontinued all supplements immediately after the tear, just to make sure nothing interfered with my surgery. I have started back on CEE and NO2 and in addition I am taking in 20g daily of a Glutamine Peptide Matrix. I am also supplementing 2-3 times per day with BCAA's. I have lost a lot of weight since the injury, 12+ pounds, and I think a lot of it is the result of intracellular water loss from discontinuing the creatine. Some of the weight loss is from muscle atrophy however. My arms, chest, and shoulders are already significantly smaller, but I know this size will come back when I can begin training again. Since starting back on the CEE a couple days ago I am already starting to fill back out. I look the best today that I have looked since the surgery. I believe it's due to my muscles starting to rehydrate some. I know I won't get the benefits from the CEE, etc... that I would when training.. but even if I get slightly more muscle hydration, that can only help with the recovery process. Happy New Year Everyone! Be safe tonight. - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.PhysiqueFXonline.com www.MichaelandKendra.com My wife, and IFBB Fitness Pro Kendra Elias' personal site: www.KendraElias.com Proud member of Team ALR: www.ALRIndustries.com

12-31-2005, 04:44 PM	#16
AaronM Pro Stature Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 253 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 6	Good luck with the recovery! I really respect your great attitude:nosthumbs! That injury looks very painful.

12-31-2005, 04:48 PM	#17
Lift I Love IronMass.Com Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 825 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 11	Hey man keep your head up and have a speedy recovery __________________ MrLiftALot@hotmail.com "King Kong Ain't Got Sh*t On Me..."

12-31-2005, 05:00 PM	#18
Lift I Love IronMass.Com Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 825 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 11	Are you allowed to do any lower body work? Leg Press, Leg Curl that sort of thing? __________________ MrLiftALot@hotmail.com "King Kong Ain't Got Sh*t On Me..."