Abstract
The incidence of rotator cuff tear increases with age. Degenerative rotator cuff tears are commonly seen in athletes above 40 years. These athletes are commonly involved in overhead activities. Repetitive microtrauma is a more important factor in rotator cuff degeneration than acute trauma. Conservative treatment is the mainstay treatment for these injuries. A case report of an elderly athlete who sailed competitively is presented. The clinical and radiographic presentations, management and rehabilitation of degenerative rotator cuff tears are discussed.
Keywords: chiropractic, degenerative, elderly athlete, rehabilitation, rotator cuff, sailing, shoulder, sports injury
Full text
PDF






Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Blevins F. T., Djurasovic M., Flatow E. L., Vogel K. G. Biology of the rotator cuff tendon. Orthop Clin North Am. 1997 Jan;28(1):1–16. doi: 10.1016/s0030-5898(05)70260-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Bokor D. J., Hawkins R. J., Huckell G. H., Angelo R. L., Schickendantz M. S. Results of nonoperative management of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1993 Sep;(294):103–110. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Breazeale N. M., Craig E. V. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears. Pathogenesis and treatment. Orthop Clin North Am. 1997 Apr;28(2):145–155. doi: 10.1016/s0030-5898(05)70275-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Brier S. R. Rotator cuff disease: current trends in orthopedic management. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1992 Feb;15(2):123–128. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Clark J. M., Harryman D. T., 2nd Tendons, ligaments, and capsule of the rotator cuff. Gross and microscopic anatomy. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1992 Jun;74(5):713–725. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Hawkins R. H., Dunlop R. Nonoperative treatment of rotator cuff tears. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1995 Dec;(321):178–188. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Kaneko K., De Mouy E. H., Brunet M. E. Massive rotator cuff tears. Screening by routine radiographs. Clin Imaging. 1995 Jan-Mar;19(1):8–11. doi: 10.1016/0899-7071(94)00024-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Keating J. F., Waterworth P., Shaw-Dunn J., Crossan J. The relative strengths of the rotator cuff muscles. A cadaver study. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1993 Jan;75(1):137–140. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.75B1.8421011. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Miniaci A., Salonen D. Rotator cuff evaluation: imaging and diagnosis. Orthop Clin North Am. 1997 Jan;28(1):43–58. doi: 10.1016/s0030-5898(05)70263-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Neer C. S., 2nd Impingement lesions. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1983 Mar;(173):70–77. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Palmer W. E., Brown J. H., Rosenthal D. I. Rotator cuff: evaluation with fat-suppressed MR arthrography. Radiology. 1993 Sep;188(3):683–687. doi: 10.1148/radiology.188.3.8351333. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- ROWE C. R. RUPTURES OF THE ROTATOR CUFF: SELECTION OF CASES FOR CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT. Surg Clin North Am. 1963 Dec;43:1531–1534. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6109(16)37140-7. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Refior H. J., Krödel A., Melzer C. Examinations of the pathology of the rotator cuff. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 1987;106(5):301–308. doi: 10.1007/BF00454338. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Shrode L. W. Treating shoulder impingement using the supraspinatus synchronization exercise. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 1994 Jan;17(1):43–53. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Snyder S. J. Evaluation and treatment of the rotator cuff. Orthop Clin North Am. 1993 Jan;24(1):173–192. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Soslowsky L. J., Carpenter J. E., Bucchieri J. S., Flatow E. L. Biomechanics of the rotator cuff. Orthop Clin North Am. 1997 Jan;28(1):17–30. doi: 10.1016/s0030-5898(05)70261-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Tirman P. F., Bost F. W., Steinbach L. S., Mall J. C., Peterfy C. G., Sampson T. G., Sheehan W. E., Forbes J. R., Genant H. K. MR arthrographic depiction of tears of the rotator cuff: benefit of abduction and external rotation of the arm. Radiology. 1994 Sep;192(3):851–856. doi: 10.1148/radiology.192.3.8058959. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Uhthoff H. K., Sarkar K. Surgical repair of rotator cuff ruptures. The importance of the subacromial bursa. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1991 May;73(3):399–401. doi: 10.1302/0301-620X.73B3.1670436. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wirth M. A., Basamania C., Rockwood C. A., Jr Nonoperative management of full-thickness tears of the rotator cuff. Orthop Clin North Am. 1997 Jan;28(1):59–67. doi: 10.1016/s0030-5898(05)70264-9. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

