Traumatic Serratus Anterior Muscle Tear Presenting as Isolated Posterior Shoulder Pain in a Professional Volleyball Athlete: A Case Report
Serratus anterior muscle injuries are rare, most commonly reported in rowing and overhead throwing athletes. These injuries typically present with anterolateral chest wall pain and a palpable mass. Atypical presentations may lead to diagnostic challenges, particularly when symptoms mimic shoulder pathology. We report the case of a 26-year-old male professional volleyball player who presented with acute-onset posterior shoulder pain following a serving motion. The pain persisted for two weeks and was exacerbated by overhead movements, particularly during spiking. Physical examination revealed localized posterior shoulder pain with mild limitation of external rotation, while rotator cuff testing was normal. Initial clinical suspicion included posterosuperior labral injury or posterior internal impingement.
