Aim:
The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the results of clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with arthroscopic findings, to evaluate the role of rotator cuff (RC) examination tests in diagnosis and to reveal the agreement between observers.
Methods:
Our study included 48 patients who underwent surgery for RC rupture between March 2015 and April 2016 in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic at Haseki Training and Research Hospital. All patients had a clinical examination performed by a shoulder surgeon, an orthopedist and a senior resident. Jobe’s supraspinatus test and the painful arc test were used for rotator cuff tears during physical examination. Physical examination and MRI findings were compared with the arthroscopic findings.
Results:
Jobe’s supraspinatus evaluations showed moderate agreement between the participants, while painful arc evaluations showed poor between shoulder surgeon and specialist-assistant, and moderate between specialist and assistant. There was a statistically significant difference between the results of clinical examination done by the shoulder surgeon and MRI and arthroscopy results. Moderate correlation was found between arthroscopy and MRI results.
Conclusion:
Our results showed that clinical evaluation is insufficient in establishing the diagnosis of RC tear in a painful shoulder. MRI can be used safely in the diagnosis of RM tear, but its sensitivity is low in partial tears.
Keywords: Shoulder arthroscopy, MRI, rotator cuff tear