BACKGROUND Six classification systems have been proposed for describing rotator cuff tears designed to help understand their natural history and make treatment decisions. PURPOSE To assess the interobserver variation for these classification systems and identify the method with the best interobserver agreement. STUDY DESIGN Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS Six rotat...

Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears are not a single entity; rather, they represent a spectrum of disease states. Although often asymptomatic, they can be significantly disabling. Overhead throwing athletes with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears differ with respect to etiology, goals, and treatment from older, nonathlete patients with degenerative tears. Pathogenesis of degenerative partial...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Extracellular matrix remodeling is altered in rotator cuff tears, partly due to altered expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their inhibitors. It is unclear whether this altered expression can be traced as changes in plasma protein levels. We measured the plasma levels of MMPs and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) in patients with rotator cuff tears and relate...

Partial thickness rotator cuff tears are a common cause of pain in the adult shoulder. Despite their high prevalence, the diagnosis and treatment of partial thickness rotator cuff tears remains controversial. While recent studies have helped to elucidate the anatomy and natural history of disease progression, the optimal treatment, both nonoperative and operative, is unclear. Although the adven...

The goal of this study was to compare the accuracy of abduction-external rotation magnetic resonance arthrography (ABERMRA) with standard MRA in the diagnosis of intra-articular shoulder pathology.One hundred three consecutive patients undergoing preoperative direct MRA and subsequent arthroscopic examination were included in the study. Seventy-eight patients underwent standard MRA and 25 under...

OBJECTIVE To describe shoulder disorders in patients evaluated by two shoulder and elbow surgeons. METHODS This cross-sectional study analyzed patients evaluated by two authors, excluding acute fractures and dislocations and patients with symptoms not involving the shoulder. Age and sex distribution was determined for the different diagnoses. RESULTS We evaluated 1001 patients. Mean age was...

OBJECTIVE To assess the diagnostic performance of MR arthrography in the diagnosis of the various types of partial-thickness rotator cuff tears by comparing the MR imaging findings with the arthroscopic findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS The series of MR arthrography studies included 202 patients consisting of 100 patients with partial-thickness rotator cuff tears proved by arthroscopy and a con...

BACKGROUND Rotator cuff tears are very common, but little is known about the outcome of nonoperative treatment of symptomatic tears in terms of progression and the need for surgical intervention. METHODS Fifty-nine shoulders in fifty-four patients (thirty-three women and a mean age of 58.8 years) with rotator cuff tears on initial magnetic resonance imaging who had been managed nonoperatively...

PURPOSE To compare the accuracy of ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of rotator cuff tears. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-six patients with clinically suspected rotator cuff pathology underwent ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging of the shoulder. The findings in 88 patients were compared with arthroscopy or open surgery. RESULTS Full-thickness tear wa...