What is This Cord Like Tendon/muscle Under my Arm? What Shall I Do? (photo)

Question

OK So about 2 to 3 years ago, i was training for cross fit games, i guess i wasn't properly warmed up at the time, and i needed to do muscle ups, a pull up into a dip on a pull up bar, and first rep in i struggled due to tight shoulders and one shoulder rotated over the bar and the other one didn't, my weight pushed me down, and i believe i tore my bicep and pectoral. i was 230lbs 6'2. After the bruising went away, i have a string like cord under my arm and but no pain, just tight. what is this?

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for the question regarding what this cord is, like the tendon/muscle under my arm, and what you should do. Thank you for your pictures and thank you for your history. It appears that this is a cord-like scar from a ruptured bicep. It appears that this is excessive scar tissue. I would treat this like an axillary burn contracture. Burn contractures are band-like adhesions across the armpit like you have. The treatment would include direct excision of the scar. It could be as simple as cutting one end of the scar, and the scar band may retract. You may also need an incision at the other end of the scar to completely retract the band. Another choice would be to remove the band altogether. If this did not resolve the operating room table issues, an alternative could be a Z plasty, where an incision is made over the scar, and tissue is brought in to relieve the band-like cord. This is not an uncommon problem; please seek a board-certified plastic surgeon. 
I specialize in arm lifts.  I hope that I have answered your questions regarding the arm reduction.  If you have any more questions regarding the arm lift, arm reduction, brachioplasty or arm crease fat grafting, please contact my office.  Since a brachioplasty or arm lift surgery is a difficult procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing these types of arm lifts. Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 arm lifts.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.   Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Richard J. Bruneteau, MD · Answer

Your pictures and history suggests a musculotendinous injury following exercise. This has resulted a noticeable deformity of your axilla. Under these circumstances, it's appropriate to consult an orthopedic surgeon. This surgeon should be able to perform an examination and identify your specific injury. Based on these findings, a treatment plan can be developed to address your deformity.

Jourdan Gottlieb, MD · Answer

I would suggest consulting with an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine doc to diagnose this. If it is just a scar it can be divided in the office with some local anesthesia.

	 

	Thanks, best wishes.

What is This Cord Like Tendon/muscle Under my Arm? What Shall I Do? (photo)

Answers (3)

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

What is This Cord Like Tendon/muscle Under my Arm? What Shall I Do? (photo)

Answers (3)

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Arm Lift

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.