Deltoid Disruption

Description

Deltoid disruption is a partial or complete rupture of the deltoid muscle or its attachment to bone. The deltoid is the most important muscle for shoulder function and motion. With this rare injury, the deltoid muscle pulls off the roof of the shoulder (acromion), end of the collarbone, or part of the shoulder blade (scapula), resulting in loss of one attachment of the deltoid muscle and thus loss of function of this muscle. It is even less common for the deltoid to pull off the humerus (arm bone). Regardless of where the muscle pulls off the bone, this condition results in poor shoulder function.

Common signs and symptoms

• A popping, ripping, or tearing sensation and severe, sharp pain in the shoulder at the time of injury

• Tenderness, swelling, warmth or redness, and later bruising over and around the shoulder

• Pain and weakness upon trying to raise the arm to the side, front, or behind, depending on the part torn

• Loss of contour of the shoulder; more evident when trying to contract the muscle or lift the arm

• Loss of firm fullness when pushing on the area where the tendon ruptured (a defect between the end of the muscle and bone where they are separated from each other)

Causes

• A sudden episode of stressful overactivity, particularly a major force to an already maximally contracted deltoid muscle

• A direct blow or injury

• Forceful throwing

• Shoulder surgery, particularly on the rotator cuff

Factors that increase risk

• Sports that require excessive deltoid muscle stress, especially throwing sports

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