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Study confirms smaller coracohumeral distance with degenerative subscapularis tendon tears
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Patients with degenerative subscapularis tendon tears had a significantly smaller coracohumeral distance compared with patients who had either traumatic or intact subscapularis tears, according to study results.
Researchers evaluated 83 patients with arthroscopically certified subscapularis tendon tears. There were 43 patients with degenerative causes, 39 patients with traumatic causes and 23 patients who were in the control group had traumatic supraspinatus tendon tears and intact supraspinatus tendons which were arthroscopically proven. Investigators recorded age, time from surgery or symptoms until the procedure, as well as any additional injuries of the infraspinatus and supraspinatus tendons. MRI was used to measure the distance between the posterior aspect of the coracoid process and the anterior humeral head/minor tubercle and it was also used to diagnose anterior migration. The t test was used to compare the coracohumeral distance (CHD) in the three groups.
Results showed patients with degenerative subscapularis tendon tears, compared to those with traumatic tears and the control group, had a significantly smaller CHD with a mean CHD of 8.6 mm. The control group and patients with traumatic tears did not significantly differ with regard to CHD. Investigators noted patients with degenerative subscapularis tendon tears had a CHD less than 6 mm. Patients with traumatic tears underwent surgery earlier vs. those with degenerative tears, according to the findings.‒ by Monica Jaramillo
Disclosures: Balke reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.
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