Rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic individuals: a clinical and ultrasonographic screening study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence and clinical impact of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic volunteers.


METHODS
Sonographic examinations of the shoulder of 212 asymptomatic individuals between 18 and 85 years old were performed by a single experienced operator. The prevalence and location of complete rotator cuff tears were evaluated. The clinical assessment was based on the Constant Score. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the shoulder was obtained in those patients where US showed rotator cuff pathology.


RESULTS
Ultrasound showed a complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon in 6% of 212 patients from 56 to 83 years of age (mean: 67 years). MRI confirmed a complete rupture of the supraspinatus tendon in 90%. All patients reported no functional deficits, although strength was significantly lower in the patient group with complete supraspinatus tendon tear (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
There is a higher prevalence in older individuals of rotator cuff tendon tears that cause no pain or decrease in activities of daily living.
Department of Radiology/Osteology AKH, Medical School, University of Vienna, Waehringer-Guertel 18-20, 1090, Austria. nadja.schibany@univie.ac.at
N
N
Schibany
H
H
Zehetgruber
F
F
Kainberger
C
C
Wurnig
A
A
Ba-Ssalamah
A M
AM
Herneth
T
T
Lang
D
D
Gruber
M J
MJ
Breitenseher
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002061:Bursa, Synovial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D012399:Rotation; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012421:Rupture; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography