Detection of the Rotator Cuff Tendons Tears by Ultrasound in Sudanese Housewives with Chronic Shoulder Pain

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the sonographic findings of the rotator cuff tendons for the presence of partial and full-thickness tears using ultrasonography in Sudanese housewives with shoulder pain, as well as to correlate the findings with their ages, pain side and period of pain. Materials and Methods: The study sample involved 38 consecutively enrolled subjects who had shoulder pain, they have been classified into different groups according to their ages, affected shoulder and pain duration. All subject undergone MRI examination of the shoulder joint to detect the presence of RC tendon tears. Ultrasound of shoulder was performed by a musculoskeletal sonographer according to a define protocol that included imaging of the four rotator cuff tendons and the data obtained have been analyzed. Results: 16 (42.1%) of subjects showed supraspinatus partial tears, whereas 3 (7.9%) showed full thickness tears. 2 (5.3%) cases revealed infraspinatus partial tears. No partial or full thickness tears detected to terse minor and subscapularis tendons. The most affected age group was between 55-64 and 65-75 years old women for supraspinatus, infraspinatus partial and supraspinatus full thickness tears consequently. The most injured shoulder was the right one 11 (28.9%) partial tears besides 3 (7.9%) full thickness tears for supraspinatus tendon while the left shoulder was the mostly injured 2 (5.3) for infraspinatus tendon. Conclusion: Ultrasound is able to detect the shoulder join diseases especially rotator cuff tears.