Background: In consideration of supraspinatus tears and tendinosis, acromion morphology forms a most important risk factor along with acromioclavicular joint arthritis. Utilisation of the pathological phenomenon caused by the acromial changes can lead to identification of etiology for supraspinatus tears and tendinosis.

Aim: To evaluate the association of supraspinatus tears and tendinosis with acromion morphology and acromio-clavicular arthritis using conventional MRI and CT.

Material and Methods: Evaluation of 100 patients with chronic shoulder pain for rotator cuff tears and correlating them with findings of acromion and acromio-clavicular joint. Dual source 16-slice Computed tomography scanner (Bright speed, GE health care, UK) and 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging system (Magnetom Essenza, Siemens health care, Germany) were used for imaging. Acromio-clavicular joint, rotator cuff pathologies and acromion types were evaluated using CT and MRI. Measurement of acromio-humeral distance was done using CT.

Results: In our study, 92% cases with acromio-clavicular joint changes showed tear/tendinosis of supraspinatus tendon. The type I and type II are more seen types in the population. However, type III acromion showed supraspinatus tears in 100% cases and type II acromion were associated with rotator cuff tears in 80% of cases. Acromio-humeral distance <7 mm was associated with 70 % supraspinatus tears and remaining 30 % had tendinosis. Acromio-humeral distance between 7-10 mm was associated with supraspinatus tears in 64 % cases.

Conclusion: Acromioclavicular arthritis and type III acromion showed strong association with supraspinatus tears and tendinosis. Reduced acromio-humeral distance was an important association of supraspinatus tears.

Keywords: Acromion types, acromioclavicular arthritis, acromio-humeral distance, supraspinatus tears, impingement, MRI.

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Dr Amit Achyut Ban

Prasad Hospital, Borban Area, Behind SP office, Govardhan Ghat Road, Taluka, District, Nanded, Maharashtra – 431601, India