Deltoid Sprain/Rupture

What is the Deltoid muscle?

The Deltoid is the big muscle on your shoulder, at the top of your arm. It is made up of three parts, the Anterior (front), middle and Posterior (back). This muscle is used for lifting the arm out sideways. The front part helps to lift the arm forward, while the back part helps to lift the arm backwards.

Symptoms of a Deltoid Rupture

• Sudden pain in the muscle at the front of the shoulder
• Pain when moving the arm forwards from the side against resistance.
• Pain when lifting the arm up sideways from the side, against resistance.
• Tenderness and swelling at the site of the injury.

Deltoid Strains and Ruptures are divided into 3 categories, Grade 1, Grade 2 and Grade 3.

Grade 1

• Tightness in the muscles
• May not be able to use the arm properly or do press ups easily.
• You probably won't experience much swelling
• Trying to lift your arm sideways against resistance causes minimal pain.

Grade 2

• You probably cannot use your arm properly or do press-ups.
• You may experience sudden twinges of pain during activity
• Pressing the injury causes pain
• You may notice swelling
• Lifting your arm forwards, backwards or sideways causes pain.

Grade 3

• You will be unable to move your arm
• You will be in severe pain
• Noticably bad swelling appears immediately
• Flexing the muscle is painful and may cause a bulge in the muscle