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PubMed2005

Diagnostic ultrasound of the shoulder--a method for experts only? Results from an orthopedic surgeon with relative inexpensive compared to operative findings.

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic ultrasound examination of the shoulder is generally considered to require long experience. We examined the results of an orthopedic surgeon with little experience of ultrasound. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A relatively inexperienced examiner performed preoperative ultrasound scanning of 79 patients with symptoms from the rotator cuff and/or the long head of the biceps muscle. Tears of the rotator cuff and rupture or dislocation of the long head of the biceps muscle were the positive findings of interest. Results were compared to operative findings. RESULTS: In 66 of 79 shoulders, ultrasonographic rotator cuff findings were confirmed at surgery (accuracy 84%). 20 of 26 full-thickness tears were diagnosed correctly. 6 of 7 partial-thickness tears were overlooked. Ultrasound was false positive in 1 case. For the long head of the biceps muscle, all 8 cases of dislocation or rupture of the tendon were diagnosed but differentiation between the two conditions was not possible in 2 cases. INTERPRETATION: Our results may encourage orthopedic surgeons to start using ultrasound as a diagnostic technique for full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff and for pathology in the long head of the biceps muscle.

Clinical Competence↗
PubMed2005

Recurrent anterior glenohumeral instability with onset after forty years of age: the role of the anterior mechanism.

Recurrent instability in patients over forty years of age is felt to occur primarily as a result of an associated rotator cuff tear. This is often referred to as the "posterior mechanism." We reviewed our patients over the age of forty who underwent an anterior shoulder repair to identify the incidence of capsulolabral detachments and the role of an "anterior mechanism" in this patient population. A retrospective review of all patients from 1985 to 2000 was performed to identify patients who had surgery for recurrent instability that began after forty years of age. Of the 265 patients records reviewed, 11 patients were identified who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Of the 11 patients identified, 9 patients underwent anterior capsulolabral reconstruction for recurrent instability; the remaining two patients underwent repair of large rotator cuff tears. All 9 patients had a capsulolabral detachment, 4 had a rotator interval defect, 2 had anterior and inferior capsular redundancy, 1 had a small rotator cuff tear and 1 had an anterior capsular avulsion from the humeral head. At minimum follow-up of 32 months none of the patients reported episodes of instability. The reported incidence of rotator cuff tears in patients over the age of forty following an initial traumatic anterior glenohumeral dislocation ranges from 35% to 100%. When recurrent instability occurs, it is postulated to occur via a "posterior mechanism" (i.e., secondary to a significant full-thickness rotator cuff tear). However, all of our patients had an anterior capsulolabral detachment as the "common lesion" associated with recurrent instability. Although small, this series emphasizes the role of the "anterior mechanism" in patients who develop recurrent instability after the age of forty. A high rate of success was achieved by addressing the pathoanatomic changes identified.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Cuff-tear arthropathy.

In this report we describe the clinical and pathological findings of cuff-tear arthropathy in twenty-six patients and discuss the differential diagnosis and a hypothesis on the pathomechanics that lead to its development. This lesion is thought to be peculiar to the glenohumeral joint because of the unique anatomy of the rotator cuff. Following a massive tear of the rotator cuff there is inactivity and disuse of the shoulder, leaking of the synovial fluid, and instability of the humeral head. These events in turn result in both nutritional and mechanical factors that cause atrophy of the glenohumeral articular cartilage and osteoporosis of the subchondral bone of the humeral head. A massive tear also allows the humeral head to be displaced upward, causing subacromial impingement that in time erodes the anterior portion of the acromion and the acromioclavicular joint. Eventually the soft, atrophic head collapses, producing the complete syndrome of cuff-tear arthropathy. The incongruous head may eventually erode the glenoid so deeply that the coracoid becomes eroded as well. Although treatment of cuff-tear arthropathy is extremely difficult, the preferred method appears to be a resurfacing total shoulder replacement with rotator-cuff reconstruction and special rehabilitation. We think that it is important to recognize cuff-tear arthropathy as a distinct pathological entity, as such recognition enhances our understanding of the more common impingement lesions. Cuff-tear arthropathy is especially difficult to treat, and although many tears of the rotator cuff do not enlarge sufficiently to allow this condition to develop, it is a factor to consider when deciding whether or not a documented tear of the rotator cuff should be surgically repaired.

Aged↗
PubMed1999

Magnetic resonance imaging findings in idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVES: To describe magnetic resonance imaging findings in idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder underwent magnetic resonance imaging involving two spin-echo T2-weighted sequences with fat saturation and two spin-echo T1-weighted postgadolinium sequences; for all sequences, sections were obtained in the oblique coronal and transverse axial planes. Findings were compared to those obtained using the same imaging protocol in 15 patients with clinical manifestations of rotator cuff tear. RESULTS: Postgadolinium enhancement of the joint capsule and synovial membrane was seen in the rotator interval in all 25 adhesive capsulitis patients and in the axillary recess in 22 of the 25. Only one of the 15 rotator cuff tear patients had this finding. In both groups, postgadolinium enhancement occurred in the subacromial bursa, in the rotator cuff tendons, and in the acromioclavicular joint. No significant rotator cuff tears were found in any of the adhesive capsulitis patients. CONCLUSION: In difficult cases, magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium injection can contribute to the diagnosis of idiopathic adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Successful early mobilization of major cuff repair using a suture post.

Repair of massive rotator cuff tears in the elderly can be challenging because of degenerative, retracted, and contracted tendons producing an extensive defect. The quality of the tendon and particularly the bone of the proximal humerus is an inherent weakness in the repaired construct. We report a method that secures the rotator cuff to a fixation post placed in cortical bone at the surgical neck of the humerus, bypassing the weakest point. This is an evolution of techniques designed to fix to the greater tuberosity. We reviewed 32 repairs (16 men and 14 women; mean age, 68 years) with a minimum of 2 years' follow-up (mean, 4.3 years). Constant scores improved from a mean of 27.9 preoperatively to 78.2 postoperatively. Pain scores improved from 8.2 to 1.9, with 87% of patients being satisfied with the results of surgery. This is a robust construct that is easily learned and able to solve a technical problem.

Acromion↗
PubMed2000

[Normal anatomy and related pathological changes of shoulder on MRI].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the normal anatomy and common abnormal changes of rotator cuff impingement and tears and recurrent anterior instability of shoulder joint in MRI pictures. METHODS: MRI was compared in 285 patients with shoulder diseases and 20 patients with symptomatic shoulder diseases. RESULTS: On oblique coronal image, the supraspinatus presented moderate signal intensity and low signal intensity in its tendon-muscle conjunction ranging from the humeral head to the greater tuberosity. The MRI manifestations of impingement lesion of the rotator cuff were as follows: high signal intensity of tendons, changes of their shapes, retraction of tendon-muscle conjunction, and muscle atrophy with high signal intensity. On T1-weighted axial image, the anterior and posterior glenohumeral labrum, the long head biceps tendon were displayed in low signal intensity. The anterior labrum manifested a sharp triangle contour and the posterior labrum a round one. The whole four muscles of the rotator cuff manifested on oblique sagital image. However, it was of less value in detecting the abnormalities of the rotator cuff and the glenohumeral labrum on sagittal imaging. The sensitivity in demonstrating rotator cuff complete tear was 95% for MRI and 91% for arthrography; the specificity was 88% for MRI and 100% for arthrography. The sensitivity and specificity of MRI were 96% and 75% for detecting glenoid labrum abnormalities, and 78% and 88% for detecting labrum tear in anterior recurrent dislocation of the shoulder. CONCLUSIONS: Magnetic resonance imaging with its excellent contrast resolution in multiple anatomic planes allows noninvasive visualization of bone and soft tissues in the rotator cuff and labrum.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

[Histopathological findings in the proprioception of the shoulder joint].

Purpose of this study was the evaluation of distribution and morphology of mechanoreceptors in the glenohumeral joint capsule and rotator cuff in comparison to the coracoacromial ligament by means of specific immunfluorescence microscopy. The complemente joint capsules, rotator cuffs and coracoacromial ligaments of three fresh cadaver shoulder were harvesed. Serial cryostate sections were taken and alternately incubated with antiserum against neurofilament, lamin or myelin of peripheral nerves. The antibody-reaction was visualized with fluorescin lg-G. The nerve endings were photographed and computer-aided 3-dimensional reconstructions were performed. Three types of corpuscular and free nerve endings of different morphology were found in different distributions: whereas the Ruffini corpuscles were much more frequent in the coracoacromial ligament and rotator cuff, Pacini endings were predominantly found in the joint capsule. Generally corpuscular nerve endings were more frequent in the coracoacromial ligament and the rotator cuff than in the antero-inferior capsule and the number of corpuscles increased from medial to lateral within the anterior and inferior parts of the capsule. The dense ligamentous tissue was almost aneural whereas the periarticular fatty or loose connective tissue contained nerve fibres and nerve endings. In view of the results of other experimental and clinical studies the high frequency of Ruffini and Pacini endings in the rotator cuff and coracoacromial ligament suggest, that both are involved in the neurosensory control of glenohumeral stability and subacromial impingement. In contrast our findings in the joint capsule do not clearly prove, that those joint receptors predominantly maintain joint stability.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗
PubMed1992

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression: a clinical review.

Arthroscopic subacromial decompression has become a popular technique supplanting the open Neer acromioplasty in many instances of chronic rotator cuff disease. A review of 61 consecutive decompressions with a minimum follow-up of 12 months was undertaken to evaluate preoperative criteria and surgical outcomes. Of the 61 patients, 53 patients with an average follow-up of 23 months were available for review. Thirty-four men and 19 women with an average age of 47 years comprised the study group. Eleven (21%) had full-thickness tears, 35 (66%) had partial-thickness injuries, and 7 (13%) had normal-appearing rotator cuffs at the time of arthroscopy. The UCLA shoulder rating system was used to evaluate outcome. Eighty-one percent of the patients had an excellent (32%) or good (49%) result whereas 19% (15% fair and 4% poor) were considered unsatisfactory. Those with early impingement findings and partial rotator cuff tears were likely to experience a satisfactory outcome. Patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears were less likely to experience a successful result (55%). Workmen's compensation cases had a satisfactory outcome in 74%, with a predominance of good over excellent results. Excluding those with full-thickness tears and work-related injuries, a satisfactory outcome was achieved in 90%. Arthroscopic subacromial decompression for mechanical impingement of the rotator cuff is a technically demanding procedure requiring appropriate skills as well as careful preoperative treatment and evaluation. For individuals in whom conservative measures fail and who meet stringent criteria, namely, a largely intact rotator cuff and a non-work-related injury, a highly reliable and satisfying outcome can be anticipated by both patient and surgeon.

Acromion↗
PubMed1993

[Reliability of clinical examination of the shoulder in comparison with arthroscopy. A prospective study].

The results of clinical shoulder examination including 20 special tests were compared with subsequent arthroscopic findings in 45 patients. The sensitivity of the clinical diagnosis was 73%. Impingement syndrome was correctly diagnosed in 19 of 22 cases (86%), rotator cuff tears in 7 of 9 cases (78%). The highest sensitivity for stage II impingement was found for the supraspinatus test (85%) and the lift-up test (92%); the sensitivity of these tests for rotator cuff tears was 100% and 89% respectively. Differentiation between impingement syndrome with and without rotator cuff tear by one of these tests alone was not possible because of their low positive predictive values (26% and 56%). In contrast, in 90% of patients with negative rotator tests the rotator cuff was complete, while the negative predictive value of the supraspinatus test was 100%. Instability was confirmed in only 53% of cases; the Leffert test had the highest positive predictive value (73%). In conclusion, the clinical diagnosis of a shoulder lesion cannot reliably be achieved by single tests; rather overall evaluation by an experienced clinician is necessary.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Subscapularis, medial, and lateral head coracohumeral ligament insertion anatomy. Arthroscopic appearance and incidence of "hidden" rotator interval lesions.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to document the incidence of lesions of the rotator interval, illustrate the arthroscopic appearance of subtle differences in these lesions, and discuss how various lesions may affect biceps tendon stability in the bicipital groove. TYPE OF STUDY: A Data Registry has been used in my office since 1995 (Microsoft Office Access). This study reports on the results of a retrospective database "query" of the prospectively entered data from 1995 to 1998. Thus, by default, the format of this study is a consecutive sample. Only patients with a disruption of rotator cuff tendons, labrum and/or gleno-coracohumeral ligaments are included by study design. METHODS: This study has identified and reports on 46 arthroscopically identified subscapularis tears, 25 "hidden" rotator interval lesions (SGHL/MCHL complex) and 6 SGHL/CHL complex plastic deformation lesions in 165 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for conditions ranging from anterior instability to rotator cuff tears. Arthroscopically identified lesions include partial or complete disruptions of the subscapularis tendon, disruptions of the superior glenohumeral/medial head coracohumeral ligament complex (SGHL/MCHL), disruptions of the lateral head coracohumeral ligament (LCHL), and various combinations of the above. RESULTS: The incidence rate of subscapularis tendon involvement in 165 arthroscopically treated shoulder patients was 27%. The incidence rate of subscapularis tendon disruptions with rotator cuff pathology was 35%. The incidence rate of SGHL/MCHL lesions (tear or stretch) in 165 arthroscopically treated shoulder patients was 18%. The incidence rate of SGHL/MCHL tears in 165 arthroscopically treated shoulder patients was 15%. Forty-seven percent of all subscapularis tears involved the SGHL/CHL complex. Ten percent of all rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus tendon involved the LCHL. CONCLUSIONS: This study has recorded the incidence of lesions of the subscapularis, SGHL/MCHL complex and/or the LCHL, and combinations thereof in degenerative cuff and instability patients. Primary lesions of the rotator interval can occur and regardless of the associated pathology, and if these lesions are not repaired, biceps tendon subluxation may exist.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed2006

Arthroscopic removal of an intramedullary nail in the humerus.

The most frequent criticism of antegrade humeral nailing is its potentially deleterious effect on shoulder function owing to the trauma to the rotator cuff at the insertion point. This problem may also occur when removing an intramedullary nail from the humerus. In an effort to decrease the trauma to the rotator cuff at the nail insertion site during removal of an intramedullary nail from the humerus and to allow recovery of shoulder function as soon as possible after removal, we performed arthroscopic removal of the intramedullary nail and arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. The advantages of this method include the fact that it is a less invasive approach, which causes minimal disruption of the rotator cuff, requires fewer days in hospital, and allows simultaneous arthroscopic correction of the accompanying lesion.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

The effects of augmentation with Swine small intestine submucosa on tendon healing under tension: histologic and mechanical evaluations in sheep.

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff failure after surgery may be attributed to inferior tissue healing properties that result from repetitive cyclic loading during early rehabilitation. Enhancing the biological healing process may reduce the incidence of failures after rotator cuff repairs. HYPOTHESIS: Augmentation of rotator cuff tissue using swine small intestine submucosa in a sheep model will improve the rate and quality of tissue repair. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: We resected and reattached 26 sheep infraspinatus tendons under tension, with 13 animals receiving a small intestine submucosa patch (augmented group). Animals were sacrificed at 12 weeks, and biomechanical testing and histologic evaluation were performed. Biomechanical testing was completed in 10 tendons from each group. Specimens were loaded to failure at a constant displacement to obtain the load deformation curve used to calculate load to failure and stiffness of the healed bone-tendon interface. Histologic testing addressed tissue healing at the bone-tendon interface. RESULTS: The load-to-failure data did not indicate a significant difference between the augmented and nonaugmented groups (1252 +/- 402 N vs 985 +/- 459 N, respectively; P > .05). However, the augmented group had significantly better stiffness than the nonaugmented group (215 +/- 44 N/mm vs 154 +/- 63 N/mm, respectively; P = .03). Histologic data revealed that the infraspinatus tendon in all specimens inserted into the bone through a zone of fibrocartilage, although none of the patches were intact. CONCLUSION: Although there were no differences in the load-to-failure data between the 2 groups, the statistically significant improvement in stiffness for the augmented group is clinically relevant. Stiffness is the biomechanical parameter representing the tissue response to subdestructive loads seen with early rehabilitation. Augmenting the repair with a collagen matrix improved the early healing characteristics of the repair construct. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Enhancing the biological process of tendon healing under tension by using a collagen matrix patch may improve the ultimate success of rotator cuff repair.

Animals↗
PubMed1994

Dynamic anterior stabilisers of the shoulder with the arm in abduction.

The stabilising effects on the glenohumeral joint of each of the rotator-cuff muscles and of the biceps were studied with the arm in abduction and external rotation in 13 cadaver shoulders. The muscles were loaded one at a time with forces proportional to their cross-sectional areas. We recorded the positions of the humeral head before and after the application to the humerus of an anterior force of 1.5 kg. When the capsule was intact, the anterior displacement with the subscapularis loaded was significantly larger than with the other muscles loaded (p = 0.0009). With the capsule vented, the displacement with the biceps loaded was significantly smaller than that with the subscapularis loaded (p = 0.0052). After creating an imitation Bankart lesion, the displacement with the biceps loaded was significantly less than with any of the rotator-cuff muscles loaded (p = 0.0132). We conclude that in the intact shoulder, the subscapularis is the least important anterior stabiliser, and that the biceps becomes more important than the rotator-cuff muscles as stability from the capsuloligamentous structure decreases. Strengthening of the biceps as well as the rotator-cuff muscles should be part of the rehabilitation programme for anterior shoulder instability.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Physiotherapy interventions for shoulder pain.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of shoulder disorders has been reported to range from seven to 36% of the population (Lundberg 1969) accounting for 1.2% of all General Practitioner encounters in Australia (Bridges Webb 1992). Substantial disability and significant morbidity can result from shoulder disorders. While many treatments have been employed in the treatment of shoulder disorders, few have been proven in randomised controlled trials. Physiotherapy is often the first line of management for shoulder pain and to date its efficacy has not been established. This review is one in a series of reviews of varying interventions for shoulder disorders, updated from an earlier Cochrane review of all interventions for shoulder disorder. OBJECTIVES: To determine the efficacy of physiotherapy interventions for disorders resulting in pain, stiffness and/or disability of the shoulder. SEARCH STRATEGY: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Clinical Trials Regiter and CINAHL were searched 1966 to June 2002. The Cochrane Musculoskeletal Review Group's search strategy was used and key words gained from previous reviews and all relevant articles were used as text terms in the search. SELECTION CRITERIA: Each identified study was assessed for possible inclusion by two independent reviewers. The determinants for inclusion were that the trial be of an intervention generally delivered by a physiotherapist, that treatment allocation was randomised; and that the study population be suffering from a shoulder disorder, excluding trauma and systemic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The methodological quality of the included trials was assessed by two independent reviewers according to a list of predetermined criteria, which were based on the PEDro scale specifically designed for the assessment of validity of trials of physiotherapy interventions. Outcome data was extracted and entered into Revman 4.1. Means and standard deviations for continuous outcomes and number of events for binary outcomes were extracted where available from the published reports. All standard errors of the mean were converted to standard deviation. For trials where the required data was not reported or not able to be calculated, further details were requested from first authors. If no further details were provided, the trial was included in the review and fully described, but not included in the meta-analysis. Results were presented for each diagnostic sub group (rotator cuff disease, adhesive capsulitis, anterior instability etc) and, where possible, combined in meta-analysis to give a treatment effect across all trials. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty six trials met inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was variable and trial populations were generally small (median sample size = 48, range 14 to 180). Exercise was demonstrated to be effective in terms of short term recovery in rotator cuff disease (RR 7.74 (1.97, 30.32), and longer term benefit with respect to function (RR 2.45 (1.24, 4.86). Combining mobilisation with exercise resulted in additional benefit when compared to exercise alone for rotator cuff disease. Laser therapy was demonstrated to be more effective than placebo (RR 3.71 (1.89, 7.28) for adhesive capsulitis but not for rotator cuff tendinitis. Both ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy resulted in improvement compared to placebo in pain in calcific tendinitis (RR 1.81 (1.26, 2.60) and RR 19 (1.16, 12.43) respectively). There is no evidence of the effect of ultrasound in shoulder pain (mixed diagnosis), adhesive capsulitis or rotator cuff tendinitis. When compared to exercises, ultrasound is of no additional benefit over and above exercise alone. There is some evidence that for rotator cuff disease, corticosteroid injections are superior to physiotherapy and no evidence that physiotherapy alone is of benefit for Adhesive Capsulitis REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The small sample sizes, variable methodological quality and heterogeneity in terms of population studied, physiotherapy intervention employed and length of follow up of randomised controlled trials of physiotherapy interventions results in little overall evidence to guide treatment. There is evidence to support the use of some interventions in specific and circumscribed cases. There is a need for trials of physiotherapy interventions for specific clinical conditions associated with shoulder pain, for shoulder pain where combinations of physiotherapy interventions, as well as, physiotherapy interventions as an adjunct to other, non physiotherapy interventions are compared. This is more reflective of current clinical practice. Trials should be adequately powered and address key methodological criteria such as allocation concealment and blinding of outcome assessor.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Internal impingement of the shoulder: a clinical and arthroscopic analysis.

Internal impingement was first described by Walch in 1992 and defined as contact between the supraspinatus tendon and posterior-superior glenoid rim with the shoulder in the cocked, throwing position of 90 degrees of abduction and maximum external rotation. The hypothesis of the study was that this contact may be seen in patients who are not throwing athletes nor in those who have instability. One hundred five consecutive patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy were prospectively studied with preoperative history and physical examination. All patients underwent general anesthesia and arthroscopy with a standard posterior portal. With the patient under arthroscopy the arm was placed in abduction and external rotation until contact was made or until full elevation was reached. Eighty-five percent (N = 90) of the patients made contact between the rotator cuff and glenoid rim at an average of 95 degrees of abduction and 74 degrees of external rotation. No statistically significant relationship was seen (P > .05) between the position of contact at internal impingement and mechanism of injury, throwing versus nonthrowing, instability, rotator cuff tear, preoperative external rotation, or preoperative impingement signs. The intraoperative finding of contact of the rotator cuff to the posterosuperior glenoid with the arm in abduction and external rotation can occur in a wide spectrum of shoulder disease and is not limited to the throwing athlete. Not all patients with increased laxity and instability demonstrate this contact, suggesting that these factors may not be essential for internal impingement.

Arthroscopy↗
PubMed2005

Acromioclavicular joint cyst: nine cases of a pseudotumor of the shoulder.

OBJECTIVE: (1) To analyse the imaging appearances of nine patients with acromioclavicular joint cysts presenting as shoulder masses for tumor staging with operative, histopathological and joint aspiration findings. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: Retrospective review of imaging and correlation with clinical, operative and surgical notes. Images were reviewed by two musculoskeletal radiologists by consensus. Nine patients who presented clinically with a shoulder mass were evaluated by radiographs (n=9), ultrasound (n=1), conventional arthrography (n=3), MRI (n=6; with direct MR arthrography n=2, indirect MR arthrography n=4). RESULTS: All patients had a focal mass superior to the AC joint, with a size ranging from 1.5 cm to 6 cm and a mean of 3.27 cm. Correlation was available with surgery (n=7), histopathology (n=2) and cyst aspiration (n=2). Two patients were managed conservatively. Geyser sign was positive in all three arthrograms. All MRIs revealed extensive rotator cuff tears with a column of fluid extending from the glenohumeral joint through the rotator cuff tear into the acromioclavicular joint and acromioclavicular cyst. Chondrocalcinosis was seen in the acromioclavicular joint cyst (n=2) and in the glenohumeral joint (n=1). Aspirate in two patients contained calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals. CONCLUSION: Acromioclavicular joint cysts may present as a tumor mass. They are associated with extensive rotator cuff tears and there is usually communication of the cyst with the joint space. This feature excludes a diagnosis of tumor. AC joint cysts may be associated with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease.

Acromioclavicular Joint↗
PubMed1998

Primary traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in patients 40 years of age and older.

During three consecutive ski seasons (1991 to 1994), 125 patients 40 years of age and older without previous shoulder injuries or surgery sustained a traumatic first-time anterior shoulder dislocation. At a minimum of 2 years' follow-up, patients were contacted to determine long-term outcome and to identify factors leading to prolonged morbidity or the need for surgical intervention. Fifty-two patients were available for interview. A modified Rowe shoulder score showed 32 excellent, nine good, eight fair, and three poor results. Eighteen (35%) rotator cuff tears were subsequently identified, with only 11 (61%) of these patients obtaining an excellent or good outcome (P = .011). Of the 11 patients with a fair or poor result, seven (64%) had a rotator cuff tear. Of the 12 patients with isolated cuff tears, 84% had an excellent or good result when treated surgically, compared with 50% when treated nonsurgically. Our findings indicate that recurrence is not a frequent complication of traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in this age-group (4%). However, prolonged morbidity secondary to rotator cuff tear is more prevalent than in a younger population. We believe early diagnosis of rotator cuff pathology by either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or arthrogram with subsequent surgical repair can lead to faster restoration of function and a better outcome in these select individuals.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

[Sonography of the shoulder].

Sonography is a valuable method for the detection of rotator cuff tears. A high resolution transducer and an experienced examiner are necessary. The rotator cuff is not visible in large tears and has a convex outer border in small tears. Sonography reveals pathology of the subacromial bursa, joint effusions, inflammatory tissue in rheumatoid arthritis and often also bony erosions and tendon calcifications. Arthrography is still indicated in equivocal cases. Arthro-CT is the method of choice for the diagnosis of limbus and capsular pathology, but not for rotator cuff tears. MRI shows promising results in rotator cuff tears, but its role has not been definitively assessed.

Bursa, Synovial↗