Do Acromiohumeral Centre Edge Angle and Greater Tuberosity Angle Correlate With the Full-Thickness Degenerative Supraspinatus Tear?

Abstract

Background: Many radiographic parameters associated with the extrinsic cause of supraspinatus tear have been proposed. The aim of this study was to correlate the relationship between full-thickness degenerative supraspinatus tear (FTDST) and the patient’s radiographic parameters, including the acromiohumeral centre edge angle (ACEA) and the greater tuberosity angle (GTA).Methods: A retrospective study was conducted. We included 116 patients who had undergone shoulder arthroscopic surgery at our institute. The case group included FTDST patients, while the control group also included patients without evidence of supraspinatus tear. In each patient, the ACEA and GTA values were measured and analysed by two independent observers. Intra-inter observer reliability was assessed. Multivariate regression analysis was performed.Results: The ACEA values were significantly higher in FTDST, with a mean of 26.44°± 9.83° compared with 16.81° ± 7.72° in the control group (P < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis also showed that higher ACEA values were associated with a FTDST (odds ratio 1.16 per degree, P = 0.01). Meanwhile, for GTA values, a statistically significant difference was found with a mean of 70.92° ± 6.64 compared with 67.84° ± 5.56 in the control group (P = 0.02). However, Stepwise regression analysis rejected GTA as a predictor for FTDST.Conclusions: Our study demonstrated that the presence of higher ACEA values is an independent significant risk factor for the presence of FTDST. Consequently, GTA values may be less helpful in assessing the risk of FTDST, especially in this specific population.