Magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of the rotator cuff tendons in the asymptomatic shoulder.

Thirty shoulders in 20 volunteers (average age, 29 years; range, 17 to 49) with no shoulder symptoms or known abnormalities were scanned using magnetic resonance imaging. All scans were interpreted by one radiologist who was blinded to clinical data. Appearance of rotator cuff tendons on the images was graded. Grade 0 was normal, homogeneous low signal intensity structure. Grade 1 lesion was focal, linear, or diffuse intermediate signal through the tendon. Grade 2 lesion was high signal intensity within the tendon and less than full thickness. Grade 3 was high signal intensity through full thickness of the tendon. No supraspinatus or infraspinatus tendons were grade 0 (normal); all supraspinatus and infraspinatus tendons had grade 1 changes through the tendons; and 7 of 30 (23%) of the tendons had grade 2 changes. None of the 30 shoulders had grade 3 changes in the rotator cuff tendons. There is a wide array of abnormal magnetic resonance imaging signals in shoulders of young asymptomatic individuals, but they do not have full-thickness rotator cuff tears (grade 3 lesion). Nonenhanced magnetic resonance imaging may be of limited value in defining rotator cuff injury in a patient with shoulder pain unless a full-thickness rotator cuff tear is suspected clinically.