Subscapularis tendon rupture in an 8-year-old boy: a case report.
Since falling off a motorcycle 2 years earlier, an 8-year-old, right-hand-dominant boy reported anterior shoulder pain and weakness. After being evaluated by his family physician and completing a course of physical therapy with no symptomatic improvement, he was seen at our institution. Physical examination was remarkable for diminished strength with internal rotation (4/5). In addition, bellypress and lift-off tests were positive, suggesting a lesion of the subscapularis. Magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder showed a full-thickness subscapularis tendon tear and a supraspinatus tendon signal that could have represented a partial-thickness tear vs supraspinatus tendinosis. The patient underwent right shoulder diagnostic arthroscopy with debridement of a partial-thickness articular-sided tear of the supraspinatus tendon followed by open repair of the subscapularis tendon rupture. This case illustrates a traumatic subscapularis tendon injury that is rare in this age group. A few other traumatic subscapularis injuries have been reported in children, but they all demonstrated bony avulsion of the lesser tuberosity.
Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, California, USA.
Amandeep
A
Bhalla
Kevin
K
Higashigawa
David
D
McAllister
D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D012421:Rupture; D012540:Scapula / Q000293:injuries*; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery