"Rotator cuff arthropathy: Insights into this under-recognized entity"

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Rotator cuff tears are prevalent in athletes and older adults.
• Rotator cuff arthropathy (RCA) is the advanced stage of neglected rotator cuff tears, causing significant shoulder dysfunction.
• RCA typically manifests in individuals in their seventh decade of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide teaching points for the accurate diagnosis of rotator cuff arthropathy (RCA).
• To emphasize the importance of comprehensive radiological reporting for effective management of RCA.
• To highlight potential diagnostic challenges and pitfalls in identifying RCA on imaging.

Main Methods:

• This is a review article focusing on diagnostic criteria and reporting standards for RCA.
• The review synthesizes current knowledge on clinical suspicion and imaging modalities for RCA diagnosis.
• Emphasis is placed on identifying key imaging findings crucial for surgical planning.

Main Results:

• Imaging is essential for confirming RCA diagnosis, though it can be overlooked on radiographs and MRIs.
• Radiologists may prioritize rotator cuff tears over arthropathy findings.
• Inexperienced radiologists might miss critical details like muscle atrophy, fatty infiltration, and tendon retraction.

Conclusions:

• Accurate and timely diagnosis of RCA is vital for appropriate patient management.
• Comprehensive radiological reports, including muscle status and tendon anatomy, are essential for surgical decision-making.
• Enhanced radiologist awareness and reporting are key to improving outcomes for patients with RCA.