LAUSR

OBJECTIVES Document the mechanism and incidence of pectoralis major ruptures in a professional rugby league cohort, and compare to any existing data. DESIGN Retrospective case series. METHODS Case series which documents 3 such injuries incurred while effecting a tackle in 3 rugby league players from the same squad (of 36) in the same season. RESULTS At the initial point of contact, all three players were in a similar shoulder position of outer-range abduction and horizontal abduction and subsequently it appeared their pectoralis major was torn while attempting to effect the tackle. CONCLUSIONS Complete tears of the pectoralis major muscle are rare but significant injuries often requiring surgical intervention to restore full function in collision sport athletes. In this same season, the organisation changed their defensive approach which may have contributed to these injuries. Each player was managed with acute surgical repair and returned to play at the same level. Suggestions are made to consider the possible training injury implications of changing tackle technique.