The Rotator Cuff Footprint in Filipinos: A Cadaveric Study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Anatomy
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Rotator cuff tears are a common cause of shoulder pain, often requiring surgical repair.
• Accurate knowledge of rotator cuff footprint anatomy is crucial for successful surgical restoration.
• Footprint size influences the choice of rotator cuff repair technique.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the average dimensions and shapes of the rotator cuff footprint on the humerus in Filipino cadavers.
• To provide anatomical data relevant to rotator cuff repair procedures in this population.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on 27 preserved Filipino cadaver upper extremity specimens.
• Measurements of length, width, and shape were taken for the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, subscapularis, and teres minor tendons' footprints.
• Data analysis focused on average measurements and common shapes.

Main Results:

• The average supraspinatus footprint measured 22.92 mm (length) x 10.17 mm (width), infraspinatus 17.20 mm x 10.72 mm, teres minor 15.15 mm x 11.04 mm, and subscapularis 17.68 mm x 11.26 mm.
• The supraspinatus, infraspinatus, and subscapularis footprints were predominantly trapezoidal, with teres minor also showing triangular shapes.
• These average measurements were smaller in length and width compared to previously reported studies.

Conclusions:

• The rotator cuff footprint dimensions in Filipino cadavers are smaller than those reported in other populations.
• While measurements differ, the general shapes of the footprints are consistent with existing literature.
• These findings highlight the importance of population-specific anatomical data for precise rotator cuff repair.