Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to document the incidence of lesions of the rotator
interval, illustrate the arthroscopic appearance of subtle differences in these lesions,
and discuss how various lesions may affect biceps tendon stability in the bicipital
groove. Type of Study: A Data Registry has been used in my office since 1995 (Microsoft Office Access).
This study reports on the results of a retrospective database “query” of the prospectively
entered data from 1995 to 1998. Thus, by default, the format of this study is a consecutive
sample. Only patients with a disruption of rotator cuff tendons, labrum and/or gleno-coracohumeral
ligaments are included by study design. Methods: This study has identified and reports on 46 arthroscopically identified subscapularis
tears, 25 “hidden” rotator interval lesions (SGHL/MCHL complex) and 6 SGHL/CHL complex
plastic deformation lesions in 165 patients undergoing shoulder arthroscopy for conditions
ranging from anterior instability to rotator cuff tears. Arthroscopically identified
lesions include partial or complete disruptions of the subscapularis tendon, disruptions
of the superior glenohumeral/medial head coracohumeral ligament complex (SGHL/MCHL),
disruptions of the lateral head coracohumeral ligament (LCHL), and various combinations
of the above. Results: The incidence rate of subscapularis tendon involvement in 165 arthroscopically treated
shoulder patients was 27%. The incidence rate of subscapularis tendon disruptions
with rotator cuff pathology was 35%. The incidence rate of SGHL/MCHL lesions (tear
or stretch) in 165 arthroscopically treated shoulder patients was 18%. The incidence
rate of SGHL/MCHL tears in 165 arthroscopically treated shoulder patients was 15%.
Forty-seven percent of all subscapularis tears involved the SGHL/CHL complex. Ten
percent of all rotator cuff tears involving the supraspinatus tendon involved the
LCHL. Conclusions: This study has recorded the incidence of lesions of the subscapularis, SGHL/MCHL
complex and/or the LCHL, and combinations thereof in degenerative cuff and instability
patients. Primary lesions of the rotator interval can occur and regardless of the
associated pathology, and if these lesions are not repaired, biceps tendon subluxation
may exist.
Arthroscopy: The Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery, Vol 17, No 2 (February),
2001: pp 173–180
Keywords
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Footnotes
☆Address correspondence and reprint requests to William F. Bennett, M.D., 5741 Bee Ridge Rd, Suite 470, Sarasota, FL 34233, U.S.A. E-mail: [email protected]
Identification
Copyright
© 2001 Arthroscopy Association of North America. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
