Biomechanics in an Incomplete Versus Complete Supraspinatus Tear: A Cadaveric Study

Background: Degenerative and traumatic changes to the rotator cuff can result in massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears (RCTs). Purpose/Hypothesis: The study objective was to conduct a biomechanical comparison between a small, incomplete RCT and a large, complete RCT. We hypothesized that the incomplete supraspinatus (SS) tear would lead to an incremental loss of abduction force and preserve vertical position of the humeral head, while a complete SS tear would cause superior humeral migration, decrease functional deltoid abduction force, and increase passive range of motion (ROM). Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Six cadaveric shoulders were evaluated using a custom testing apparatus. Each shoulder was subjected to 3 conditions: (1) intact/control, (2) 50%, full-thickness, incomplete SS tear, and (3) 100%, complete SS tear. Deltoid abduction force, superior humeral head migration, and passive ROM were measured in static conditions at 0°, 30°, and 60° of glenohumeral abduction, respectively. Results: The intact SS resulted in a mean deltoid abduction force of 2.5, 3.3, and 3.8 N at 0°, 30°, and 60° of abduction, respectively. Compared with the intact shoulder, there was no significant difference in mean abduction force seen in the incomplete tear, while the force was significantly decreased by 52% at 30° of abduction in the complete tear (P =.009). Compared with the incomplete tear, there were significant decreases in abduction force seen in the complete tear, by 33% and 48% (0.9 N and 1.1 N) at 0° and 30° of abduction, respectively (P =.04 and.004). The intact configuration experienced a mean superior humeral head migration of 1.5, 1.4, and 1.1 mm at 0°, 30°, and 60° of abduction, respectively. The complete tear resulted in a superior migration of 3.0 and 4.4 mm greater than the intact configuration at 0° and 30° of abduction, respectively (P =.001). There was a 5° and 10° increase in abduction ROM with 50% and 100% tears, respectively (P =.003 and.03). Conclusion: An incomplete SS tear does not significantly alter the biomechanics of the shoulder, while a large, complete SS tear leads to a significant superior humeral migration, a decreased deltoid abduction force, and a mild increase in passive ROM. Clinical Relevance: Our findings demonstrate the effects of large SS tears on key biomechanical parameters, as they progress from partial tears.