Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Aim: To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography as tool in rotator cuff injuries of shoulder. Materials and method: It included 50 patients between 15-65 years of age presenting with shoulder symptoms of pain and restriction of movements and excluded cases having fractures around shoulder. The patients were interviewed as per a set proforma which included their personal details and detailed history of symptoms. The cases were examined by a post graduate trainee and senior Orthopaedic Surgeon for final clinical diagnosis, based on specific tests of rotator cuff tear, such as Empty Can test and Neer’s sign for Impingement and supraspinatus tear, Drop arm test for complete supraspinatus tear and Gerber’s Lift off test for subscapularis tear. Results: 54% patients were farmer or labourer followed by 30% who were housewives. History of fall was noted only in 20% cases. Nearly 3/4th (76%, 38 cases) were right handed and right shoulder was involved in 80% (40 cases). Neer Impingement test was positive in 92% (46 cases), showing supraspinatus tendon involvement. Empty can test was positive in 36% (18cases) showing complete or incomplete tear of supraspinatus tendon. Drop arm test was positive in 32% (16 cases) showing complete tear of supraspinatus tendon. Gerber’s Lift Off test was found positive in 26% (13 cases) showing subscapularis tendon complete or incomplete tear. Based on these tests supraspinatus tendon was noted to have partial thickness tear in 24 cases and full thickness tear in 16 cases. Subscapularis tendon was partially torn in 13 cases along with partial tear of supraspinatus. One case had only subscapularis tendon involvement. Conclusion: Office-based shoulder ultrasound examination can be used in conjunction with the patient’s clinical history and physical examination and provides important information regarding rotator cuff condition. I Improved diagnostic accuracy with better clinical correlation can not only facilitate subsequent treatment planning but also lessen the overwhelmingly tight schedule of screening MRI for equivocal cases. Keywords: rotator cuff injuries, ultrasonography, shoulder injury.