Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was twofold: (i) to investigate the intrarater reliability of acromiohumeral distance measurement; (ii) to assess the level of association between acromiohumeral distance measured by ultrasonography, and the degree of supraspinatus tendon tear, in patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain.MethodsA cross-sectional, case-control study was carried out. A convenience sample comprising 59 patients with a unilateral supraspinatus tendon tear was assessed. Both shoulders of each patient were scanned by ultrasound, with the contralateral asymptomatic shoulders serving as the control group for comparison. Acromiohumeral distances of each shoulder were measured and analysed.ResultsIntrarater reliability was excellent for the ultrasound method of acromiohumeral distance measurement. The acromiohumeral distance of shoulders with full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear was significantly smaller than that of joints with partial-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear and an intact supraspinatus tendon. There was a significant positive correlation between reduced acromiohumeral distance and the severity of a supraspinatus tendon tear.ConclusionsUltrasound is a reliable tool to measure acromiohumeral distance. A positive relationship was found between a narrowed acromiohumeral distance and the severity grading of a supraspinatus tendon tear. Reduced acromiohumeral distance can be considered a predictive parameter for a full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear.Trial registrationThe study was prospectively registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry. Registration number: ChiCTR-ROC-17013550. Date of registry: 26 November 2017.
Highlights
The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to investigate the intrarater reliability of acromiohumeral distance measurement; (ii) to assess the level of association between acromiohumeral distance measured by ultrasonography, and the degree of supraspinatus tendon tear, in patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain
(2) In the full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear (STT) group (FG), US measured a reduced acromiohumeral distance (AHD) (Fig. 2). (3) In the partial-thickness STT group (PG), AHD measured by US was normal (Fig. 3)
No significant difference was found between the AHDs of the PG and the control group (CG) (Fig. 4)
Summary
The aim of this study was twofold: (i) to investigate the intrarater reliability of acromiohumeral distance measurement; (ii) to assess the level of association between acromiohumeral distance measured by ultrasonography, and the degree of supraspinatus tendon tear, in patients suffering from chronic shoulder pain. Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is one of the primary disorders of the shoulder [1]. Narrowing of the subacromial space can lead to impingement, which is considered to be the cause of rotator cuff tear progression [4, 5]. Michener found that the acromiohumeral space was not narrowed in patients with impingement syndrome [6]. Narrowing of the subacromial space is a predictor of the likelihood of a successful outcome after the rotator cuff repair is reduced [4, 8]. An unfavorable outcome in a patient with a small subacromial space can be explained by the association of a short acromiohumeral distance (AHD) with a large rotator cuff tear [9].
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