Ogata and Uhthoff examined 76 autopsy shoulders with radiologic and histologic analysis to characterize structural changes at the coracoacromial ligament insertion on the acromial undersurface and determine whether those changes correlate with rotator cuff tears — testing the foundational assumption of Neer's impingement theory.
When you see acromial spurs or a beaked acromion on imaging, recognize that these changes likely reflect reactive enthesopathy or tensile spur formation — not necessarily the cause of the patient's cuff pathology; the predominance of articular-sided partial tears in this series supports treating the underlying tendon degeneration rather than defaulting to acromioplasty as the primary intervention.
Ogata and Uhthoff examined 76 autopsy shoulders with radiologic and histologic analysis to characterize structural changes at the coracoacromial ligament insertion on the acromial undersurface and determine whether those changes correlate with rotator cuff tears — testing the foundational assumption of Neer's impingement theory.
When you see acromial spurs or a beaked acromion on imaging, recognize that these changes likely reflect reactive enthesopathy or tensile spur formation — not necessarily the cause of the patient's cuff pathology; the predominance of articular-sided partial tears in this series supports treating the underlying tendon degeneration rather than defaulting to acromioplasty as the primary intervention.