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Tears: Supraspinatus

Patient Positioning

Patient seated on a revolving stool. Position one: The palmar side of the hand on the superior aspect of the iliac wing, elbow posterior. Position two: The dorsum of the hand over the opposite back pocket, which leads to an internal rotation. The supraspinatus is directed more anteriorly.

Probe Positioning

The intraarticular portion of the long head of biceps is found easily medial - rotate the probe to get its long axis. The long head of biceps and the supraspinatus tendon run in parallel. Then shift the transducer a little cranially and posteriorly over the supraspinatus tendon - this is the long axis view of the tendon. Scan the entire visible portion of the tendon.

Shoulder anterior view
Full thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon, subdeltoid bursitis
Patient in neutral position, lack of supraspinatus tendon by scanning the area of the greater tuberosity with bursal effusion, synovial proliferation and high riding of the humeral head, which shows bony irregularities at the greater tuberosity
The complete tear becomes visible during dynamic scanning
Tear of the anterior portion of the Supraspinatus tendon longitudinal scan, moving from anterior to posterior
Tear of the anterior portion of the Supraspinatus tendon transverse scan, moving from medial to lateral

Partial-thickness articular-sided tear of the supraspinatus tendon

Partial-thickness articular-sided tear of the supraspinatus tendon

Articular sided partial thickness supraspinatus tendon tear

Full thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon, subacromial subdeltoid bursitis

Complete tear of the supraspinatus tendon with non-visualization of the tendon and decreased acromiohumeral distance

Subacromial subdeltoid bursitis with bursal effusion and positive dopplersignal, total thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon.

Full thickness tear of the supraspinatus tendon with reduced acromiohumeral distance