In this study, we evaluated the probe compression test (PC test) as a diagnostic mean for lesions of the rotator cuff.
Thirtynine shoulder joints in 37 patients were evaluated. They were precisely diagnosed by arthrography, arthroscopy and intraoperative observation after the ultrasonic examination. Complete cuff tears were detected in 25 joints. Incomplete cuff tears were present in 7 joints.3joints showed the degenerative changes in the cuff. Ultrasonic examination was conducted by Aloka SSD 680 or 650 and a 7.5 MHz linear probe. PC test which means the compression to the cuff lesions with the probe were performed in the ultrasonic evaluation. If the patient felt some localized tenderness, PC test was considered positive.
In the case of complete cuff tear,22/25 joints were positive in PC test and showed tenderness at abnormal ultrasonic points. In the case of incomplete cuff tear, the bursal side tear were more sensitive than articular side tear in PC test.
We know that there is a certain correlation between tenderness and cuff lesion like cuff tear. We used an ultrasonic probe to diagnose cuff lesions. The results suggested that PC test serves as a complementary test to the ultrasonic evaluation for cuff lesions.
