title: Is coracoacromial arch angle a predisposing factor for rotator cuff tears?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to investigate whether coracoacromial arch angle is a predisposing factor for rotator cuff tears.
  
  
  METHODS
  Shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations of 40 patients having shoulder arthroscopy due to rotator cuff tears and 28 patients with normal MRI findings were evaluated retrospectively. Acromio-humeral distance, coraco-humeral distance, the angle between the longitudinal axis of the coracoacromial ligament and longitudinal axis of the acromion (coracoacromial arch angle), and thickness of the coracoacromial ligament were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In patients with rotator cuff pathology the mean coraco-humeral distance was 7.88±2.37 mm, the mean acromio-humeral distance was 7.89±2.09 mm, and the mean coracoacromial arch angle was 132.38°±6.52° compared to 11.67±1.86 mm, 11.15±1.84 mm, and 116.95°±7.66° in the control group, respectively (P < 0.001, for all). In regression analysis, all three parameters were found to be significant predictors of rotator cuff tears. The mean thickness of the coracoacromial ligament was not significantly different between the patient and control groups (0.95±0.30 mm vs. 1.00±0.33 mm, P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acromio-humeral and coraco-humeral distances are narrower than normal limits in patients with rotator cuff tears. In addition, coracoacromial arch angle may be a predisposing factor for rotator cuff tears.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Yıldırım Beyazıt University, School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. nurdancay@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Nurdan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cay
authors.forename: Ozgür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tosun
authors.forename: Cetin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Işık
authors.forename: Ozlem
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Unal
authors.forename: Merve Gülbiz
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kartal
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozkurt
mesh_terms: D000174:Acromion / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019534:Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult