title: Ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon. The significance of distally pointing acromioclavicular osteophytes.
abstract: The association between distally pointing osteophytes of the acromioclavicular joint and ruptures of the supraspinatus tendon was investigated by two different methods. In a radiologic study, 47 images of shoulders with arthrographically confirmed supraspinatus tendon ruptures were reviewed and compared with 50 images of shoulders without ruptures. Fifty-one percent of the shoulders with supraspinatus tendon ruptures had osteophytes, as compared with 14% of the normal shoulders. A series of 170 autopsy specimens of the shoulder were also examined in detail; partial supraspinatus tendon ruptures were found in 32 and full-thickness ruptures in 22 shoulders. Fifty-four percent of the shoulders with supraspinatus tendon ruptures had distally pointing acromioclavicular osteophytes, as compared with 10% of the normal shoulders. Bony spurs of the anterior acromial process were also encountered, but they were less frequent than the acromioclavicular osteophytes.
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000368:Aged; D005096:Exostoses / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000209:etiology*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery