Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging

What is the prevalence of rotator cuff (RC) abnormalities in the general Finnish population and how do these findings correspond with shoulder symptoms?In this cross-sectional study of 602 Finnish adults aged 41 to 76 years who underwent bilateral 3-Tesla shoulder magnetic resonance imaging and clinical assessment, 99% had at least 1 RC abnormality. RC abnormalities were present in both asymptomatic (96%) and symptomatic (98%) shoulders.The findings of this study suggest that RC abnormalities are nearly universal after age 40 years and that routine imaging should not guide diagnosis or treatment of atraumatic shoulder pain.

Corresponding Author: Thomas Ibounig, MD, Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Helsinki University Hospital, PO Box 320, 00029 HUS, Helsinki, Finland (thomas.ibounig@helsinki.fi).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.