The Rotator Cuff Footprint: A Cadaveric Study of the Morphometry and Morphology

Abstract

NAIDOO, N.; LAZARUS, L. & SATYAPAL, K. S.The rotator cuff footprint: A cadaveric study of the morphometry and morphology. Int. J. Morphol., 34(3):975-985, 2016. SUMMARY:The musculotendinous hood of the rotator cuff muscle complex is formed by four tendons which thicken and merge with the underlying glenohumeral capsule as they insert onto the respective regions of the humeral head. This insertional anatomy has been reported to exhibit several pathological patterns which serve as the basis for the operative repair of cuff tears. Since previous literature concentrated on macro-evaluations of tears specific to the supraspinatus tendon, the present study aimed to investigate the macro-morphological and morphometric parameters of all four rotator cuff tendons. Observation of the insertion site configurations and computation of the relative tendon morphometry were performed once the glenohumeral region in forty adult cadaveric specimens (n=80) were bilaterally dissected. Statistical analysis also reflected the demographic representation of the sample: (Age: 74.83±12.92 years old; Gender: 24 Males, 16 Females; Race: 38 White, 2 Black). The general mean supero-inferior and medio-lateral distances were recorded specific to the entire rotator cuff and each tendinous insertion site as follows: i) Subscapularis: 22.57±3. , Teres minor -Round (100 %). In view of the statistically significant P values, it may be postulated that knowledge of the superoinferior and medio-lateral distances may provide dimensional data required to obtain optimal cuff coverage during reconstruction procedures. Furthermore, the variation in the insertion patterns may indicate the progression of rotator tendon tears.

The Rotator Cuff Footprint in Filipinos: A Cadaveric Study

“…In literature, the subscapularis is 80% longer in the study by Curtis 8 at 40 mm and Ide 16 at 39 mm. It is wider at around 20 mm width based on the study by Curtis 8 and Naidoo 17 . However, our results are similar to the study done by Naidoo at 22.57 mm and Dugas at 24.3 mm.…”