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Study examines scapular orientation during elevation in controls vs patients with cuff pathology
Results from this study showed when the arm was at rest, scapular orientation was similar in healthy patients, patients with rotator cuff tears, and patients with both rotator cuff tears and subacromial impingement syndrome. However, when the arm was put in lateral elevation, patients with both rotator cuff tears and subacromial impingement syndrome showed significantly reduced upward rotation compared with healthy patients.
Researchers prospectively observed 25 were healthy patients and 40 patients who had either a rotator cuff tear or both a rotator cuff tear and subacromial impingement syndrome. All patients underwent clinical evaluation for range of motion and impingement. In addition, rotator cuff status was assessed using MRI. Stereoradiographic analysis was used to calculate scapular orientation, with all patients positioned with arm at rest, while a few patients were also assessed at 90° elevation. A 3-D scapula reconstruction was created for all patients.
Results showed Constant score and BMI were significantly different between the groups. Groups were also not significantly different with regard to orientation of the scapula with arm at rest. The mean angle between the humeral shaft and vertical axis was 83°.
According to researchers, differences were significant between the healthy patients and the rotator cuff tear with subcromial impingement syndrome group with regard to upward rotation at 90° arm elevation, with the pathologic patients showing a reduction in upward rotation. ‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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Ohl X, et al. J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2015;doi:10.1016/j.jse.2015.04.007.