The Association Between Irregular Humeral Greater Tuberosities and Rotator Cuff Tears: An Arthrographic Study

Abstract

Objectives. Although there is an association between rotator cuff tears and irregular humeral greater tuberosities, no formal study has been done. Our study was designated to investigate the relationship between irregular humeral greater tuberosities and rotator cuff tears. Methods. The study group consisted of 53 patients with a history of shoulder pain for more than 3 months whose radiographs showed irregular greater tuberosities. The control group comprised 51 individuals with history of shoulder pain for more than 3 months whose radiographs were normal. These two gropups received arthrographic study altogether. Results. Arthrographic study of 22 patients (41.5%) in the study group showed rotator cuff tear, while that of 5 patients (9.8%) in the control group showed rotator cuff tear. The incidence of tear was high and statistically significant. (p = 0.00023) Conclusions. If radiographs of patients with chronic shoulder pain show irregular greater tuberosities, the incidence of rotator cuff tear is high. Shoulder arthrography study is necessary and early detection of rotator cuff tear is possible.