The prevalence of rotator cuff tears in elderly patients with dislocated humeral head fractures

Humeral head fractures are commonly found in elderly patients. A high rate of spontaneous rotator cuff tears in this patient group may endanger good r esults following surgical treatment. 70 patients >65 years with dislocated humeral head fractures were prospecti vely studied and treated surgically following a standardised treatment prot ocol. In all cases the rotator cuff was examined intraoperatively. A tear o f the rotator cuff was documented in 4 cases (5%). The prevalence of rotator cuff tears in elderly patients with dislocated hu meral head fractures is significantly smaller than expected referring to ma gnetic resonance; sonographic and cadaveric studies of same-age patients wi thout fracture. Therefore the rotator cuff may serve as retention anchor for the surgical t reatment of dislocated humeral head fractures in elderly patients.