Traumatic Tear of the Latissimus Dorsi Myotendinous Junction

Case Report of a CrossFit-Related Injury

Friedman, Michael V. MD
Stensby, J. Derek MD
Hillen, Travis J. MD
Demertzis, Jennifer L. MD
Keener, Jay D. MD

^†Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
^‡Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine and Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri

Michael V. Friedman, MD, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 510 South Kingshighway Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63110 (email: [email protected]).

Sports Health: A Multidisciplinary Approach 7(6):p 548-552, November/December 2015. | DOI: 10.1177/1941738115595975

A case of a latissimus dorsi myotendinous junction strain in an avid CrossFit athlete is presented. The patient developed acute onset right axillary burning and swelling and subsequent palpable pop with weakness while performing a “muscle up.” Magnetic resonance imaging examination demonstrated a high-grade tear of the right latissimus dorsi myotendinous junction approximately 9 cm proximal to its intact humeral insertion. There were no other injuries to the adjacent shoulder girdle structures. Isolated strain of the latissimus dorsi myotendinous junction is a very rare injury with a scarcity of information available regarding its imaging appearance and preferred treatment. This patient was treated conservatively and was able to resume active CrossFit training within 3 months. At 6 months postinjury, he had only a mild residual functional deficit compared with his preinjury level.