Hypothesis: The distance AHD (acromio-humeral distance) in X-rays was used for an index of the rotator cuff tear, but AHI of the rotator cuff tear patient did not always decrease. The purpose of this study was to measure AHD at the time of the shrug against a rotator cuff tear.
Methods: We selected nine people (five men, ten women) who had a diagnosis of shoulder rotator cuff tear by an examination of arthrogram. The AHD of both involved and uninvolved sides were measured and examined in a standing position neutral rotation and shrug position. The statistical official approval set 5% as a level of significance using paired T test.
Results: The mean of AHDs in normal shoulder were 9.31 at neutral and 9.31 at shrug. The mean of AHDs in rotator cuff tear were 9.19 at neutral and 7.76 at shrug.
Discussion: AHD was not shortened by shrug in normal shoulders. AHD was shortened by shrug in medium and large RCT shoulders. This method was simple and useful for screening out the medium-large RCT.
