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Traumatic tear of the rotator interval
J C Le Huec1, T Schaeverbeke, M Moinard
1Department of Orthopaedics, Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Bordeaux, France.
Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Rotator interval tears in the glenohumeral joint cause anterior shoulder pain in manual laborers and athletes. Surgical repair effectively relieved pain and restored function in most patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Sports Medicine
- Anatomy
Background:
- The rotator interval is a critical structure in the glenohumeral joint.
- Tears in this region can cause significant shoulder pain and dysfunction, particularly in active individuals.
- Diagnosis can be challenging with standard imaging modalities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical presentation and outcomes of surgical repair for rotator interval tears.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery in treating this specific shoulder injury.
Main Methods:
- Study included 10 patients with traumatic rotator interval tears.
- Diagnostic methods included physical examination, radiography, and arthrography.
- Surgical intervention involved acromioplasty, coracoidplasty, and rotator interval suture repair.
Main Results:
- Patients experienced anterior shoulder pain, exacerbated by activity.
- Physical examination revealed pain with specific provocative tests.
- Arthrography confirmed tears, but ultrasonography and MRI were inconclusive.
- Eight patients underwent surgery with successful pain relief and full functional recovery.
Conclusions:
- Rotator interval tears are a distinct cause of shoulder pain in active individuals.
- Surgical repair of the rotator interval provides excellent outcomes.
- Arthrography remains a valuable tool for diagnosing these tears when other imaging fails.