OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between lateral extension of the acromion and rotator cuff tears (RCT) in the Brazilian population. METHODS: Lateral extension of the acromion was measured using anteroposterior radiographs of the shoulders, carried out with glenoid cavity in the absolute profile and the humeral head in neutral or internal rotation. The acromion index (AI) was defined by the ratio of the distance from the glenoid cavity to the lateral border of the acromion, and the distance from the glenoid cavity to the lateral border of the humeral head. This index was measured in 83 patients with (average age 54 years) with RCT and compared with a group with 28 patients (average age 48 years) without RCT. The presence or absence of RCT was defined by Magnetic resonance Imaging. RESULTS: The average AI was 0.7194 in the patients with RCT and 0.6677 in the individuals without RCT, in the Brazilian population. This difference was highly significant, with P< 0.001. CONCLUSION: An association can be established between AI and rotator cuff tear in the Brazilian population.
Rotator cuff; Acrominon; Radiography
