Relation Between Narrowed Coracohumeral Distance and Subscapularis Tears

Purpose: To determine whether coracohumeral distance was significantly narrowed in the presence of a torn subscapularis.

Type Of Study: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: The coracohumeral distance of a consecutive series of patients (n = 35, 36 shoulders) requiring an arthroscopic repair of the subscapularis was compared with a control group (n = 35). The control group consisted of patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy but who did not have any rotator cuff, subscapularis, or subcoracoid pathology. The coracohumeral distance was measured from the tip of the coracoid to the cortex of the proximal humerus on an axial cut of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging. A Student t test was used to determine the statistical differences between the 2 groups.

Results: The average coracohumeral distance in the subscapularis group was 5.0 +/- 1.7 mm and the average coracohumeral distance in the control group was 10.0 +/- 1.3 mm. Statistical analysis, using the Student t test, showed that the coracohumeral distance was significantly narrowed in the group of patients with a torn subscapularis.

Conclusions: These results show a significant relationship between a narrowed coracohumeral distance and subscapularis pathology.

Level Of Evidence: Level III, retrospective cohort study.