Deltoid muscle disruption is a partial or complete rupture of the deltoid muscle from its attachment to bone. The deltoid is an 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 the attachment of the deltoid muscle and thus loss of function of this muscle. This condition happens most commonly following open shoulder surgery when a surgeon has surgically taken down and attempts to repair the deltoid muscle back to the acromion and the repair fails because the patient is not compliant after surgery. The deltoid muscle can also rupture from a direct blow or during forceful contraction. Deltoid muscle disruption can result in significant shoulder disfunction and a gross deformity. Surgical intervention is generally required to re-attach the deltoid back to its origin on the bone.
Contraindications to Surgery
- Infection
- Shoulder stiffness
- Inability or unwillingness to complete the postoperative program including immobilizing the shoulder in a sling for six weeks and performing physical therapy 2-3 times per week for four to six months
- Patients with poor general health which is not sufficient to proceed with surgery
Potential Surgical Risks and Complications
- Infection
- Injury to nerves (numbness, weakness, paralysis) of the shoulder and arm from the nerve block
- Continued or recurrence of pain
- Stiffness or loss of motion of the shoulder