ROTATOR-CUFF CHANGES IN ASYMPTOMATIC ADULTS - THE EFFECT OF AGE, HANDDOMINANCE AND GENDER

We studied the integrity of the rotator cuff in both dominant and non- dominant shoulders of 90 asymptomatic adults between the ages of 30 an d 99 years using ultrasound. The criteria for diagnosis had been valid ated on unembalmed cadaver specimens. We found no statistically signif icant difference in the incidence of impingement findings between domi nant and non-dominant arms or between genders, The prevalence of parti al- or full-thickness tears increased markedly after 50 gears of age: these were present in over 50% of dominant shoulders in the seventh de cade and in 80% of subjects over 80 years of age. Our results indicate that rotator-cuff lesions are a natural correlate of ageing, and are often present with no clinical symptoms. Treatment should be based on clinical findings and not on the results of imaging.