Full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tears with intact superior glenohumeral capsule

Fourteen of 318 consecutive shoulder arthroscopies performed over 5 years were found to have a complete tear of the supraspinatus tendon with an intact superior glenohumeral joint capsule. All tears were surgically repaired into a bony trough in the greater tuberosity. All of these tears were found in the past 2 years, representing the last 155 arthroscopies performed. This would indicate that there were probably similar lesions that were missed in earlier cases. This represents a significant pitfall injury that may yield a negative arthrogram and may be overlooked in arthroscopic shoulder surgery unless close inspection of the bursal side of the rotator cuff is accomplished.