A radiographic classification of massive rotator cuff tear arthritis.

BACKGROUND: In 1990, Hamada et al. radiographically classified massive rotator cuff tears into five grades. Walch et al. subsequently subdivided Grade 4 to reflect the presence/absence of subacromial arthritis and emphasize glenohumeral arthritis as a characteristic of Grade 4. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We therefore determined (1) whether patient characteristics and MRI findings differed between the grades at initial examination and final followup; (2) which factors affected progression to a higher grade; (3) whether the retear rate of repaired tendons differed among the grades; and (4) whether the radiographic grades at final followup differed from those at initial examination among patients treated operatively. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 75 patients with massive rotator cuff tears. Thirty-four patients were treated nonoperatively and 41 operatively. RESULTS: Patients with Grade 3, 4, or 5 tears had a higher incidence of fatty muscle degeneration of the subscapularis muscle than patients with Grade 1 or 2 tears. In 26 patients with Grade 1 or 2 tears at initial examination, duration of followup was longer in patients who remained at Grade 1 or 2 than in those who progressed to Grade 3, 4, or 5 at final followup. The retear rate of repaired supraspinatus tendon was more frequent in Grade 2 than Grade 1 tears. In operated cases, radiographic grades at final followup did not develop to Grades 3 to 5. CONCLUSIONS: We believe cuff repair should be performed before acromiohumeral interval narrowing. Our observations are consistent with the temporal concepts of massive cuff tear pathomechanics proposed by Burkhart and Hansen et al. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, Therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

[Injuries of the tibialis posterior tendon: diagnosis and therapy]. / Verletzungen der Sehne des M. tibialis posterior. Diagnostik und Therapie.

Complete traumatic rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon is absolutely rare. From the scarce case reports in the medical literature a extreme pronation-abduction or pronation-external rotation mechanism according to the Lauge-Hansen classification can be presumed, leading to a malleolar fracture because of forced pronation, external rotation and dorsiflexion of the foot. With primary suture the prognosis is favorable. Traumatic dislocations, mostly with luxatio pedis sub talo, are treated by atraumatic reduction and refixation of the retinaculum. Again, the prognosis is favorable. Incomplete traumatic rupture of the tibialis posterior tendon with development of posttraumatic pes plano valgus, according to case reports and our own experience result from severe pronation-external rotation-soft tissue injuries as well as with pronation-abduction or pronation-external rotation-type ankle fractures. In these cases no macroscopic rupture of the tendon is evident, however occult interstitial micro-ruptures can occur because of excessive stretching, which can be determined histologically. If conservative measures fail, a modified Evans osteotomy to lengthen the lateral foot column is indicated. Degenerative complete and incomplete ruptures of the tibialis posterior tendon are predominantly seen in women more than 42 years old. Staging of this entity can be achieved with clinical tests (muscular force, external rotation), ultrasound, weight-bearing x-rays, CT and MRT. According to the degree of decompensation of tendon function, treatment consists of augmentation, modified Evans procedure or triple arthrodesis of the hind-foot.