Surgical Management of a Latissimus Dorsi Costal Tear in an Elite Female Handball Player: A Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Latissimus dorsi ruptures are rare injuries more commonly seen in elite overhead and hip throwers athletes. The most frequent mechanism of injury is indirect. The management of these injuries is unclear and controversial. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report we present a professional female handball player with an acute intramuscular/costal tear of the latissimus dorsi, managed operatively. The patient injured extremity was the dominant throwing arm with a palpable muscle gap of 3 cm. Operative treatment was taken and objective follow-up using UCLA shoulder rating scale and DASH scores; demonstrating a progressive improvement between day zero (UCLA 13pts and DASH 36.7 pts) and the final 6 months (UCLA 33pts and DASH 0.8 pts) follow up; returning to sport at 12 weeks. CONCLUSION: Latissimus dorsi costal tears are uncommon injuries that can also be seen in hip throwing athletes. Surgical management should be considered if the dominant arm is affected and a 3cm muscle gap is present.