Clinical Biomechanics of Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears[edit | edit source]
Rotator cuff tears are one of the leading causes of shoulder pain and disability. A rotator cuff tear involves the tearing of one or more tendons of the rotator cuff muscles, namely supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. [1] Rotator cuff tears may be classified by the specific muscle(s) affected and the size of the tear (partial or full). [1][2] Rotator cuff tears may be caused by repetitive microtraumas, degenerative changes with age, or as a result of a traumatic event. [2]
Biomechanics of the Healthy Rotator Cuff[edit | edit source]
Rotator cuff and glenohumeral stability[edit | edit source]
The glenohumeral joint is formed by the articulation of the round humeral head within the shallow glenoid fossa. [3] The “socket” of this ball-and-socket joint is deepened by the presence of the glenoid labrum. Together, the glenohumeral ligaments and joint capsule provide passive stability to the joint in the end ranges of motion. [4] The rotator cuff muscles, in their role as dynamic stabilisers of the shoulder complex, are important for maintaining the stability of the glenohumeral joint, which is highly mobile but inherently unstable.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lädermann A, Denard PJ, Collin P. Massive rotator cuff tears: definition and treatment. Int Orthop. 2015 Dec;39(12):2403–14.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Hsu HC, Luo ZP, Cofield RH, An KN. Influence of rotator cuff tearing on glenohumeral stability. J Shoulder Elb Surg. 1997;6(5):413–22.
- ↑ Eajazi A, Kussman S, LeBedis C, Guermazi A, Kompel A, Jawa A, et al. Rotator Cuff Tear Arthropathy: Pathophysiology, Imaging Characteristics, and Treatment Options. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2015 Nov;205(5):W502-11.
- ↑ Yamamoto N, Itoi E. A review of biomechanics of the shoulder and biomechanical concepts of rotator cuff repair. Asia-Pacific J Sport Med Arthrosc Rehabil Technol. 2015 Jan;2(1):27–30.
