Floating Subscapularis Tear: A Variation of the Partial Subscapularis Tear

Abstract

A variation of subscapularis tear has been identified, named floating subscapularis, where the tendon is completely detached from the lesser tuberosity but is continuous with the tissue covering the bicipital groove. An accurate diagnosis can be made using arthroscopic observation with passive external and internal rotation of the affected shoulder, which shows mismatched movement between the humerus and the subscapularis tendon. The purpose of this study is to examine the prevalence of this particular tear pattern. Clinical records during the study period (from January 2011 to December 2017) were retrospectively examined. Overall, 1295 arthroscopic rotator cuff repair procedures were performed. Among these, the subscapularis tendon was repaired in 448 cases, and 27 cases were diagnosed as floating subscapularis. The prevalence of floating subscapularis was 6% in the subscapularis repair population. This particular tear pattern has not previously been described and it seems to be ignored. The floating subscapularis is thought to be the tear of the deep layer preserving the superficial layer connected to the greater tuberosity by fibrous extension of the soft tissue covering the bicipital groove.

Keywords

• arthroscopy
• partial thickness rotator cuff tear
• subscapularis tear
• variation