MR imaging of sports injuries to the rotator cuff

Impingement pain and rotator cuff injury are common in athletes, particularly in overhead throwers. The cuff can be injured in these patients in the typical location in the anterior supraspinatus tendon and near the junction of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons. The cuff tears in athletes are usually small, articular surface partial-thickness tears. The posterior cuff tears in overhead throwers are seen best at MR arthrography with the arm in abduction and external rotation. Other abnormalities, such as instability lesions or labral fraying, can be associated with rotator cuff tears in athletes.