Shoulder Injuries in MMA | Rotator Cuff Tear

MMA Shoulder Injuries: An Overview

The UFC, or Ultimate Fighting Championship® is the most well-known organization associated with MMA. Mixed Martial Arts is a popular sporting event in the United states for athletes and spectators alike. The UFC hosts over 40 fights a year where top-ranked MMA athletes are able to compete against each other in front of millions of viewers. While UFC fights are entertaining to watch, the athletes in these events are often prone to numerous injuries. MMA shoulder injuries are quite common and include shoulder separation, shoulder dislocations, rotator cuff tears and pectoralis major tears. Dr. James Mazzara is available to treat MMA fighters in Manchester, South Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury and surrounding Hartford communities who have sustained a shoulder injury or are experiencing shoulder pain. Dr. Mazzara understand an MMA fighter’s need to get back to the sport they love and perform at pre-injury levels following a shoulder injury.

MMA Shoulder Injuries: An Overview

Shoulder Dislocation in MMA

MMA fighters are often plagued with recurrent shoulder dislocations. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the ball of the humerus (bone in the upper arm) is forced out of the glenoid (socket in the shoulder). This most commonly occurs from a traumatic blow to the joint or from extreme rotation of the arm. Many shoulder dislocations in MMA fighters are considered anterior (to the front) and leaves the athlete with the inability to lift the arm or bring it across the front of their chest. Often a dislocated shoulder is accompanied by a rotator cuff tear and often with fighters who are over 35.

If an MMA fighter experiences a shoulder dislocation, immediate medical care is required. An orthopedic specialist will need to move the joint to its normal position (called reduction). Once the shoulder is back in the proper position, Dr. Mazzara can assess the joint to determine the proper treatment. He will often recommend conservative treatment which includes rest, ice, immobilization with a sling and physical therapy. If the shoulder dislocation is severe, or if the MMA athlete continues to incur subsequent shoulder dislocations, surgery may be required.

The goal of shoulder surgery for MMA fighters following a shoulder dislocation is to repair the damage within the shoulder. Often the shoulder labrum or rotator cuff are involved in significant injuries and Dr. Mazzara will use a minimally invasive approach to repair the damage within the shoulder. When appropriate arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a technique which offers small incisions, less chance for infection and quicker healing time.

Rotator Cuff Tears in MMA Athletes

The rotator cuff within the shoulder is made up of four muscle-tendon units responsible for stabilizing the joint and providing overhead arm movement. The rotator cuff is vital for shoulder stabilization and strength. MMA fighters can tear any combination of the four muscle-tendons and tend to be at a higher risk for injuring their rotator cuff. An MMA rotator cuff tear can occur during an arm bar, Americana, Kimura or during any other movement that is used to take an opponent to the ground. A partial tear occurs when the soft tissue of the rotator cuff becomes damaged, but does not tear completely, where a complete tear or full-thickness tear occurs when the tendon is completely torn off of the bones in the shoulder.

Partial rotator cuff tears can often be treated non-surgically with rest, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, physical therapy and steroid injections, when appropriate. If surgery is necessary, Dr. Mazzara prefers and arthroscopic approach, using a specialized small surgical camera and small surgical instruments to operate inside the joint.

Pectoralis Major Tears in MMA

The pectoralis major is a very powerful muscle in the front of the chest wall and is responsible for important shoulder motions. It also works as an adductor and it helps the arm rotate internally. The pectoralis major also provides athletes with backward extension and forward flexion. Pectoralis major tears are not very common, but can occur in MMA when one fighter attempts to lift their opponent off of the ground in order to take them down.

MMA fighters who experience a pectoralis major tear will require surgery to repair the muscle and regain strength. Torn pectoralis major muscles also leave a physical deformity that can be corrected during repair. For this specialized procedure, Dr. Mazzara will reattach the torn muscle and tendon to the humerus (upper arm bone) with strong sutures and anchors. This will allow the athlete to regain shoulder function.

If you would like more information on shoulder injuries in MMA fighters or if you have experienced a shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tear or pectoralis major tear, please contact the offices of Dr. James Mazzara, orthopedic shoulder specialist serving Manchester, South Windsor, Enfield, Glastonbury and the surrounding Hartford communities.