Relation between narrowed coracohumeral distance and subscapularis tears.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether coracohumeral distance was significantly narrowed in the presence of a torn subscapularis.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
The coracohumeral distance of a consecutive series of patients (n = 35, 36 shoulders) requiring an arthroscopic repair of the subscapularis was compared with a control group (n = 35). The control group consisted of patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy but who did not have any rotator cuff, subscapularis, or subcoracoid pathology. The coracohumeral distance was measured from the tip of the coracoid to the cortex of the proximal humerus on an axial cut of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. A Student t test was used to determine the statistical differences between the 2 groups.


RESULTS
The average coracohumeral distance in the subscapularis group was 5.0 +/- 1.7 mm and the average coracohumeral distance in the control group was 10.0 +/- 1.3 mm. Statistical analysis, using the Student t test, showed that the coracohumeral distance was significantly narrowed in the group of patients with a torn subscapularis.


CONCLUSIONS
These results show a significant relationship between a narrowed coracohumeral distance and subscapularis pathology.


METHODS
Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Richards
David P
DP
Institute for Bone and Joint Disorders, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
Burkhart
Stephen S
SS
Campbell
Scot E
SE
D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D012540:Scapula / Q000473:pathology*; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000473:pathology; D013708:Tendon Injuries