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Rotator Cuff Tears

Epidemiology

  • Common problem in middle aged & elderly patients
  • male > female
  • Increased incidence with overhead work & age > 60 years
  • Throwing sports are associated with rotator cuff disease
  • Bigliani
    • 140 shoulders in 71 cadavers with average age 74.4 years
    • Identified three types of acromion
      • Type 1 (flat) 17%
      • Type 2 (curved) 43%
      • Type 3 (hooked) 40%
    • 58% had same type of acromion on each side
  • Incidence of tears
    • Full thickness tears 33%
      • Of which
        • 73% in Type 3 acromion
        • 24% in Type 2 acromion
        • 3% in Type 1 acromion