Degenerative Changes in Asymptomatic Subjects: A Descriptive Study Examining the Supraspinatus Using Musculoskeletal Sonography in a Young Population.

As many as 96% of persons over age 50 years may have shoulder abnormalities involving the rotator cuff. Many of these individuals remain asymptomatic. In contrast, there is limited research into the prevalence of shoulder pathology in the younger asymptomatic population. The supraspinatus muscle is the most likely candidate for injury within the common "rotator cuff" array of shoulder pathologies. The purpose of this study was to determine, using musculoskeletal sonography and basic clinical/physical screening, whether younger asymptomatic subjects (23.4 ± 4.5 yrs) possess any degenerative changes within the supraspinatus muscle/ tendon complex. Early detection of degenerative changes could set the stage for efforts to slow progression and even prevent the development of functional impairment. Forty-six subjects, having no shoulder pain or known functional impairment volunteered for this assessment. Both shoulders of each subject were assessed using physical screening and musculoskeletal sonography. Results showed that 24% of these asymptomatic shoulders demonstrated degenerative changes detectable by musculoskeletal sonography. None of these changes were identified using common physical exam screenings. The incidence and prevalence of subclinical supraspinatus pathology in young subjects may be significantly greater than expected.