Isokinetic Muscle Strength and Muscle Endurance by the Types and Size of Rotator Cuff Tear in Men

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Our study was to determine the effect on shoulder isokinetic muscle strength and muscle endurance in isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear and combined other rotator cuff tear. METHODS: Total of 81 male patients (mean age 57.8 +/- 7.4 years) who were diagnosed as a full-thickness supraspinatus tendon tear were included. They were classified into isolated or combined tear. The isokinetic muscle strength and muscle endurance were measured using the Biodex multi-joint system PRO(R) (Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA) in following movements shoulder abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, external rotation, and internal rotation. Then, the difference in muscle function according to the type of tears were assessed. Fifty-seven patients had isolated supraspinatus tendon (mean age 56.9 +/- 7.3 years). They were classified into either anteroposterior tear or modified mediolateral tear. The size were measured using T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging scans in sagittal plane. RESULTS: Between subjects categorized into the type of tear, we found significant inter-categorical differences in isokinetic muscle strength during abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, and internal rotation, and in muscle endurance during flexion, extension, and internal rotation. Anteroposterior diameter tear, we did not show significant differences in either isokinetic muscle strength or muscle endurance during any movements. However, with modified mediolateral diameter, we found significant differences with isokinetic muscle strength during adduction, and in muscle endurance the external rotation and internal rotation. CONCLUSIONS: We found that a supraspinatus tendon tear associated with more numbers of rotator cuff tears has lower isokinetic muscle strength and muscle endurance than a tear found alone.