Clin Should Elbow.
2010 Dec;13(2):223-229.
The Correlation Between Clinical Features and Radiographic Grades in Massive Rotator Cuff Tear Patients
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chonnam National University School of Medicine, Gwangju, Korea. rhamses@chol.com
Abstract
- PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between the radiographic and clinical findings of massive rotator cuff tears.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty-five diagnosed cases (35 patients) of massive rotator cuff tears were investigated in this study. Grade of arthritis in the massive rotator cuff tears was classified based on plain radiographs using the method of Hamada et al.. And we clinically evaluated cases using the UCLA scoring system.
RESULTS
No statistically significant correlation (rs=0.220, p=0.151) was found between arthritis grades in massive rotator cuff tears and clinical features. Dominant arm involvement appeared to be related to a higher rate of surgical treatment and a lower UCLA score.
CONCLUSION
In massive rotator cuff tear patients, radiographic findings of arthritis may not always correspond to clinical features relevant in daily life. Therefore, we suggest that treatment strategies should be carefully considered when considering treatment modalities.
