Relationship between coracoid overlap and subscapularis tears

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the coracoid overlap as a risk factor of the subcoracoid impingement which is an etiologic factor in isolated subscapularis tears. Materials and Methods: Two groups were constituted including isolated subscapularis and isolated full-thickness supraspinatus tears selected randomly from patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopy. The magnetic resonance imaging and surgery videos were reviewed retrospectively to calculate and compare the means of the coracoid overlap and coracoid overlap/humeral head diameter ratio measured on T1 transverse magnetic resonance imaging sections. Results: There were a total of 56 patients including 28 in each group. The mean age of the groups were found to be 48.71 +/- 9.66 and 64.85 +/- 6.1 in Group 1 and 2, respectively. There was no significant difference in terms of age and involved shoulder. The mean coracoid overlap values were found to be 16.08 +/- 5.6 and 14.65 +/- 5.92 and coracoid overlap/humeral head diameter ratios were found to be 0.33 +/- 0.11 and 0.29 +/- 0.11 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was no significant difference in terms of coracoid overlap values and coracoid overlap/humeral head diameter ratios Conclusion: There is actually no statistically significant relationship between coracoid overlap and subcoracoid impingement. There could be found no evidence also with this study for subcoracoid impingement which is still controversial in subscapularis tears.