Correlation of radiographic and arthroscopic findings with rotator cuff tears and degenerative joint disease

The purpose of this study was to identify early signs of rotator cuff tear and glenohumeral articular cartilage degeneration by using conventional rad iography. A non-weighted anteroposterior oblique and a weighted active abdu ction view were evaluated for superior humeral migration and matching degen erative changes at the inferolateral acromion and superior aspect of the gr eater tuberosity in 40 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy. Measure ments of the glenohumeral distance were performed. Surgical reports were re viewed to determine rotator cuff and glenohumeral articular cartilage statu s. Matching degenerative changes correlate with complete rotator cuff tear (P=.04);superior migration does not. Severe glenohumeral cartilage loss cor relates with narrowing of the superior joint space on the anteroposterior o blique radiograph (P =.02) and with narrowing of the mid joint space on the active abduction view (P =.05). Both glenohumeral articular cartilage dege nerative change and rotator cuff injury, before formation of typical sequel ae of chronic rotator cuff tear, can be detected with the use of convention al radiography.