Correlation between Rotator Cuff Tears and Systemic Atherosclerotic Disease.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Cardiology
• Radiology

Background:

• Aortic arch calcification is a marker for atherosclerosis.
• Rotator cuff tendinosis and tears are common musculoskeletal conditions.
• Decreased tendon vascularity is hypothesized to contribute to tendon degeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between aortic arch calcification and rotator cuff tendinosis/tears.
• To explore the relationship between atherosclerosis and rotator cuff disease.
• To determine if tendon ischemia is linked to macrovascular disease.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 120 patients aged 50-90.
• Patients had shoulder MRI and chest radiograph within 6 months.
• Observers, blinded to each other's findings, graded aortic calcification and rotator cuff disease (tendinosis, partial/full thickness tears).

Main Results:

• Rotator cuff tear grading positively correlated with patient age.
• No significant correlation was found between rotator cuff tear grading and aortic arch calcification scores.
• Aortic calcification severity did not significantly correlate with rotator cuff tear grading.

Conclusions:

• Rotator cuff tears are not significantly correlated with aortic calcification severity.
• Tendon ischemia may not be associated with the degree of macrovascular disease.
• Further research is needed to understand the etiology of rotator cuff degeneration.