What can be seen after rotator cuff repair: a brief review of diagnostic imaging findings

Musculoskelet Surg. 2017 Mar;101(Suppl 1):3-14. doi: 10.1007/s12306-017-0455-2. Epub 2017 Feb 13.

Abstract

Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the postoperative evaluation of the rotator cuff, as pain and disability may occur or persist after treatment. Postoperative imaging is therefore of paramount importance for clinicians before planning additional treatments. Multimodality imaging of the postoperative shoulder includes radiography, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR arthrography, computed tomography (CT), CT arthrography, and ultrasound. Correct interpretation of imaging findings of the postoperative shoulder necessitates that the radiologist be familiar with the various treatment strategies, their possible complications and sources of failure, knowledge of normal and abnormal postoperative findings, and awareness of the advantages and weaknesses of the different imaging techniques. Imaging findings, however, should always be correlated with the clinical presentation because postoperative imaging abnormalities do not necessarily correlate with symptoms. This manuscript is a review of some of the most common treatment strategies for rotator cuff pathology, with a focus on expected postoperative imaging findings and postoperative complications.

Keywords: MR arthrography; MRI; Shoulder; Supraspinatus tendon; Surgery; Ultrasound.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Arthrography / methods
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnostic imaging*
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries / diagnostic imaging*
  • Rotator Cuff Injuries / therapy*
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome / therapy*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed* / methods
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ultrasonography
  • X-Rays