Relationship between the critical shoulder angle and the development of rotator cuff lesions: a retrospective epidemiological study.

OBJECTIVE: To perform a retrospective epidemiological study of radiographs in order to evaluate the relationship between the anatomy of the scapula and the development of rotator cuff injuries (RCIs).

METHODS: This study retrospectively evaluated the relation of the critical shoulder angle (CSA) and RCIs from January 2011 to November 2013; patients were examined in the Orthopedics and Traumatology Department of a university hospital. The CSA was measured by radiographic standardization of two groups: a control group of 34 asymptomatic shoulders and a study group of 44 shoulders with complete RCIs.

RESULTS: The mean age in the control group was 59.97 years (45-84) and the mean age in the group with RCIs was 59.75 years (45-84). Regarding the CSA, the control group had a mean angle of 33.59° (±3.37) and the group with RCIs had a mean angle of 39.75° (±5.35; p < 0.007).

CONCLUSION: There is an association between CSA and RCIs.