Relationship between scapular body morphology and rotator cuff tears: a threedimensional computed tomography study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Rotator cuff tears (RCTs) are a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction.
• The role of scapular morphology in the development of RCTs is not fully understood.
• Understanding these relationships may help in predicting and preventing RCTs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between scapular morphology and the presence of rotator cuff tears (RCTs).
• To identify specific scapular angular measurements that correlate with RCTs.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study including 117 shoulders with RCTs and 87 without.
• 3D computed tomography (CT) scans were used to evaluate scapular morphology.
• Measurements included critical shoulder angle (CSA), lateral acromion angle, acromial coverage angle (ACA), coracoid and scapular spine angle (CSSA), glenoid anterior tilt, anterior acromial projection angle (AAPA), coracoid process angle, scapular spine angle (SSA), and inferior angle angle (IAA).

Main Results:

• Univariate analysis showed significantly greater CSA, ACA, AAPA, SSA, and IAA in shoulders with RCTs, while CSSA was greater in shoulders without RCTs.
• Multivariate analysis identified CSA and IAA as significantly associated with RCTs (P=.00073, P=.0032).
• RCTs were associated with a greater curvature of the scapular body and increased CSA and IAA.

Conclusions:

• Specific scapular morphological features, particularly a greater critical shoulder angle (CSA) and inferior angle angle (IAA), are significantly associated with rotator cuff tears (RCTs).
• These findings suggest that scapular shape may be a contributing factor in the development of RCTs.
• Further research could explore the clinical implications of these morphological associations for RCT prevention and treatment.