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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery
Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery 5/2010

01-05-2010 | Orthopaedic Surgery

Rotator cuff tears in proximal humeral fractures: an MRI cohort study in 76 patients

Authors: Tore Fjalestad, Margrethe Ø. Hole, Judith Blücher, Inger Anette H. Hovden, Morten G. Stiris, Knut Strømsøe

Published in: Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery | Issue 5/2010

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Abstract

Background

The aim was to evaluate if concomitant injury to the rotator cuff is important for functional outcome in proximal humerus fractures, and to relate loss of function to malunion of the fractures.

Materials and methods

A total of 76 patients treated conservatively for proximal humerus fracture were included in this cohort study. Performing an MRI examination at the time of injury and after 12 months, tears of the rotator cuffs were classified as partial- or full thickness. The fractures were classified, according to the AO classification, and the degree of tubercle displacement and humeral head inclination evaluated at 12 months. Constant score was used as outcome measure.

Results

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations confirmed 22 rotator cuff tears (four full thicknesses) diagnosed at the time of injury, and 10 additional tears (three full thicknesses) at one year. Functional loss at one year significantly corresponded to the tears at the time of injury (P = 0.004), varus malunion of the head and displacement of tubercles (P < 0.001).

Interpretation

Partial- as well as full thickness tears of the rotator cuff are important for functional outcome. Skeletal deterioration seems even more important.
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Metadata
Title
Rotator cuff tears in proximal humeral fractures: an MRI cohort study in 76 patients
Authors
Tore Fjalestad
Margrethe Ø. Hole
Judith Blücher
Inger Anette H. Hovden
Morten G. Stiris
Knut Strømsøe
Publication date
01-05-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery / Issue 5/2010
Print ISSN: 0936-8051
Electronic ISSN: 1434-3916
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-009-0953-2

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