Clin Should Elbow.  2018 Jun;21(2):101-104. 10.5397/cise.2018.21.2.101.

Acute Rotator Cuff Tears due to Low Voltage Electrical Injury: A Case Report

• Yoo JH
• Rhee SM
• Shim HY
• Lee JS

• KMID: 2436392
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5397/cise.2018.21.2.101

Abstract

Since shoulder have a higher proportion of muscle which would have low electrical resistance, there could be more electrical damage to the rotator cuff muscles. We present a patient with acute rotator cuff tear by sudden uncontrolled jerking contractions caused by an electrical shock. A case of 42-year-old man with acute rotator cuff tear due to electrical injury to the shoulder was presented. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a full thickness tear and an undulating appearance of the peripheral end of the torn supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscle, suggesting an acute complete rupture. By arthroscopic surgery, the torn rotator cuff tendons were repaired with a suture bridge technique. At the final follow-up, the patient had a full, pain-free range of motion and had fully recovered shoulder muscle power.

Keyword

Rotator cuff tears; Electric burns; Muscle contraction; Trauma; Outcomes

MeSH Terms

Adult
Arthroscopy
Burns, Electric
Electric Impedance
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Muscle Contraction
Muscles
Range of Motion, Articular
Rotator Cuff*
Rupture
Shock
Shoulder
Sutures
Tears*
Tendons