The acromion and rotator cuff tears and impingement - JSES

A recent article in the Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery explored the reliability of the radiographic interpretation of the acromial shape as well as the associations of acromial morphology with the presence of rotator cuff tears in asymptomatic patients. The authors found poor agreement among three observers on the acromial type (I, II or III). Neither the acromial type nor the acromial index were statistically associated with the presence of a rotator cuff tear. The presence of an acromial spur was strongly associated with the presence of a cuff tear, but the authors were careful to point out that this association demonstrated causation (which is the chicken and which is the egg) or that 'impingement' was the common mechanism for rotator cuff failure.  Read more...