Asymptomatic Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy in Elderly Diabetics: Is Routine Magnetic Resonance Imaging Evaluation of the Shoulder Warranted?
- Author:
Gupta TP
1
;
Sirohi B
2
;
Jafri MA
3
;
Rai S
4
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedics, Cantonment General Hospital, New Delhi, India
2. Department of Orthopaedics, Military Hospital, Agra, India
3. Department of Orthopaedics, 166 Military hospital, Jammu Satwari, Jammu, India
4. Department of Orthopaedics, Military Hospital, Ambala, India
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
asymptomatic rotator cuff tendinopathy;
MRI shoulder;
diabetes;
pericapsulitis shoulder
- From:Malaysian Orthopaedic Journal
2026;20(No. 1):17-
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: The occurrence of rotator cuff tendinopathy,
which is invariably symptomatic, increases as populations
age, being largely observed among patients with diabetes.
The objective of the present study is to find out the
occurrence of rotator cuff tendinopathy in elderly diabetic
patients who were asymptomatic, composed of healthy
individuals and those with diabetes mellitus.
Materials and methods: The participants in this study
included 87 elderly diabetic patients and 56 controls (mean
age: 69.3±4.9 and 71.8±3.6, respectively), who were
asymptomatic from shoulder. All patients, including,
underwent shoulder MRI examination using 1.5 tesla MRI.
Results: We recorded greater tendons thickness in the
diabetic patients as compared with the controls
(supraspinatus tendon: 6.6±0.7mm vs 5.3±0.8mm, p<0.001;
biceps tendon: 3.9±0.7mm vs 3.1±0.8mm, p<0.002).
Moreover, higher incidence of supraspinatus tendon tear was
noted in diabetics as compared to biceps tendon (major tears:
32 (36.7%) vs 6 (10.7%), p=0.052; minor tears: 51 (58.6%)
vs 11 (19.6%), p=0.032).
Conclusions: The present study suggests that age-related
rotator cuff tendinopathy is more prevalent among patients
with diabetes. Therefore, MRI is an investigation of choice
for early detection i.e., at pre-symptomatic stages of rotator
cuff tendinopathy, as the patients may develop symptoms
later.
Keywords:
asymptomatic
- Full text:2026030910354727586rotator-cuff-tendinopathy.pdf
