Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy
Abstract Purpose Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) is characterised by humeral head migration (HHM). The exact pathogenesis of HHM is poorly understood, although rotator cuff (RC) failure and scapular anatomy are thought to play an important role. The aim of this study is to investigate the possi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70219 |
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| author | Hannes E. Tytgat Nazanin Daneshvarhasjin Philippe Debeer Jean Chaoui Filip Verhaegen |
| author_facet | Hannes E. Tytgat Nazanin Daneshvarhasjin Philippe Debeer Jean Chaoui Filip Verhaegen |
| author_sort | Hannes E. Tytgat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) is characterised by humeral head migration (HHM). The exact pathogenesis of HHM is poorly understood, although rotator cuff (RC) failure and scapular anatomy are thought to play an important role. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association between HHM and the quantitative aspects of scapular anatomy and RC degeneration. Methods We analysed computed tomography scans of 43 RCTA patients. RC fatty infiltration (FI) and atrophy, HHM, and both native and pathologic scapular anatomy were quantitatively assessed in three dimensions. Results Patients with superior HHM had a significantly higher critical shoulder angle (34° vs. 30°, p = 0.009), and FI of the supraspinatus (26% vs. 16%, p = 0.025) and infraspinatus (IS) (25% vs. 16%, p = 0.038) compared to patients without superior HHM. Patients with posterior HHM had a significantly more retroverted native (mean 10° vs. 6°; p = 0.002) and pathologic glenoid (mean 11° vs. 4°; p = 0.001) and a higher anterior axis length (mean 40 mm vs. 37 mm; p = 0.001) compared to patients without anteroposterior HHM. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the native glenoid version, anterior axis length and the volume (Vol) of IS divided by subscapularis (p = 0.01) were independent predictors of the magnitude of anteroposterior HHM, together explaining 41% of its variance. Conclusion In RCTA, degeneration of the posterosuperior RC and acromion morphology seems to be associated with superior HHM, while in the glenoid version, the rotational alignment of the coracoacromial complex and an imbalance in FI and muscle Vol in the transverse force couple seems to be associated with anteroposterior HHM. Level of Evidence Level III. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-93b89bebae5d47989f1dd093dbb6ea31 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2197-1153 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics |
| spelling | doaj-art-93b89bebae5d47989f1dd093dbb6ea312025-08-20T03:44:05ZengWileyJournal of Experimental Orthopaedics2197-11532025-04-01122n/an/a10.1002/jeo2.70219Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathyHannes E. Tytgat0Nazanin Daneshvarhasjin1Philippe Debeer2Jean Chaoui3Filip Verhaegen4Department of Orthopedics UZ Leuven Leuven BelgiumDepartment of Orthopedics UZ Leuven Leuven BelgiumDepartment of Orthopedics UZ Leuven Leuven BelgiumDigital Technologies Trauma & Extremities, Stryker Portage Michigan USADepartment of Orthopedics UZ Leuven Leuven BelgiumAbstract Purpose Rotator cuff tear arthropathy (RCTA) is characterised by humeral head migration (HHM). The exact pathogenesis of HHM is poorly understood, although rotator cuff (RC) failure and scapular anatomy are thought to play an important role. The aim of this study is to investigate the possible association between HHM and the quantitative aspects of scapular anatomy and RC degeneration. Methods We analysed computed tomography scans of 43 RCTA patients. RC fatty infiltration (FI) and atrophy, HHM, and both native and pathologic scapular anatomy were quantitatively assessed in three dimensions. Results Patients with superior HHM had a significantly higher critical shoulder angle (34° vs. 30°, p = 0.009), and FI of the supraspinatus (26% vs. 16%, p = 0.025) and infraspinatus (IS) (25% vs. 16%, p = 0.038) compared to patients without superior HHM. Patients with posterior HHM had a significantly more retroverted native (mean 10° vs. 6°; p = 0.002) and pathologic glenoid (mean 11° vs. 4°; p = 0.001) and a higher anterior axis length (mean 40 mm vs. 37 mm; p = 0.001) compared to patients without anteroposterior HHM. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the native glenoid version, anterior axis length and the volume (Vol) of IS divided by subscapularis (p = 0.01) were independent predictors of the magnitude of anteroposterior HHM, together explaining 41% of its variance. Conclusion In RCTA, degeneration of the posterosuperior RC and acromion morphology seems to be associated with superior HHM, while in the glenoid version, the rotational alignment of the coracoacromial complex and an imbalance in FI and muscle Vol in the transverse force couple seems to be associated with anteroposterior HHM. Level of Evidence Level III.https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70219glenoid versionhumeral head migrationrotator cuff arthropathyrotator cuff atrophyrotator cuff fatty infiltrationscapular anatomy |
| spellingShingle | Hannes E. Tytgat Nazanin Daneshvarhasjin Philippe Debeer Jean Chaoui Filip Verhaegen Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics glenoid version humeral head migration rotator cuff arthropathy rotator cuff atrophy rotator cuff fatty infiltration scapular anatomy |
| title | Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy |
| title_full | Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy |
| title_fullStr | Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy |
| title_short | Association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy |
| title_sort | association of rotator cuff degeneration and scapular anatomy with humeral head migration in rotator cuff arthropathy |
| topic | glenoid version humeral head migration rotator cuff arthropathy rotator cuff atrophy rotator cuff fatty infiltration scapular anatomy |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jeo2.70219 |
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