Korean J Sports Med.  2010 Dec;28(2):77-82.

Rotator Cuff Tear in Patients with Adhesive Capsulitis of Shoulders

• Kim JH
• Lee KJ

Abstract

To examine the association between adhesive capsulitis of shoulders and rotator cuff tears determined by ultrasonographic findings. Total 49 consecutive patients were diagnosed as adhesive capsulitis by physical examination and simple radiologic evaluation. Shoulder ultrasonographies were done for them. For 20 subjects, the sensitivity and the specificity of the empty can test for supraspinatus tear were measured. Among 49 subjects, 49.0% (n=24) had rotator cuff tears. The empty can test exhibited the sensitivity of 55.6% and the specificity of 81.8% for the supraspinatus tear. The physical examination of empty can test was not sufficient for the screening of supraspinatus tear. So the radiologic evaluation, for example ultrasonography, may be needed in the diagnosis of rotator cuff tear in adhesive capsulitis patients.

Keyword

Adhesive capsulitis; Rotator cuff; Physical examination; Shoulder pain; Ultrasonography

MeSH Terms

Adhesives
Bursitis
Humans
Mass Screening
Physical Examination
Rotator Cuff
Sensitivity and Specificity
Shoulder
Shoulder Pain
Adhesives