Association of supraspinatus tendon thickness with clinical examination and quality of shoulder function and MRI in patients with partial tear of supraspinatus tendon

Partial tear of supraspinatus tendon is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. Following history and clinical examination, MRI is the standard diagnostic method. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the clinical tests and quality of function of shoulder and comparison of the thickness of the supraspinatus tendon measured on ultrasound with the results of MRI performed among patients with partial tear of supraspinatus tendon. 58 patients with rotator cuff tendinopathy criteria (from 2013 to 2016) entered the study. The clinical examination (Jobe, Hawkins, Neer, O'Brien، Lift Off, Belly Press), quality of function (by DASH and WORC questionnaire), ultrasound (to evaluate supraspinatus tendon thickness), and MRI were performed and data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 for association. In our study, 58 patients were evaluated (81% female, 55.53 years mean age). The result of KS test was not significant (p=0.200). The clinical examination and quality of function and thickness of supraspinatus tendon were not related (p>0.05). Although higher average thickness of supraspinatus tendon in case of partial tear was observed on MRI, there was no significant difference (p>0.05). Considering the findings, in cases of partial tear of supraspinatus muscle tendon, in addition to clinical tests and functional quality evaluation, paraclinical tests such as MRI and ultrasound are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.