Subscapularis Tendon Tears
By Joe F de Beer, Deepak N Bhatia
What is a Subscapularis Tendon Tears?
These are often due to injuries eg. the patient falls with an outstretched arm or the arm is forced backward through some force. These injuries are usually very painful immediately after the tear and the following few weeks. Apart from being painful, there will always also be a weakness when trying to lift the arm or reach underneath the armpit on the other side. Some tears can also be due to degeneration, “wear and tear”.
What are the early signs of a Subscapularis Tendon Tears?
- Pain in the front part of the shoulder may get aggravated with upper arm or body movement.
- Decreased movement of the joint.
- Lifting, twisting, and rotation of the arm may be painful.
- Weakness of internal rotation.
- Anterior shoulder swelling.
- Tenderness in the affected part of the joint.
How long do I stay in hospital after Subscapularis Tendon Tears surgery?
Subscapularis Tendon Tear surgery is done the same day and requires no overnight hospitalization.
What is the recovery time after Subscapularis Tendon Tears surgery?
Tendons repir typically take 6 to 12 weeks to. Strengthening exercises can begin after 3 monthswith full recovery after 6 to 12 months.
Should I wear a brace after Subscapularis Tendon Tears surgery?
After subscapularis tendon surgery, a sling is required to protect the repair.
What exercises can I do after Subscapularis Tendon Tears surgery?
For the first two weeks following repair, excessive scapular mobility can stress the repair and should be avoided. Dr Joe de Beer will advise on the rehabilitation. Intensity of the tear as well as age will determine the rehabilitation path to follow.
Introduction of Subscapularis Tendon Tears
The subscapularis is a most important muscle at the anterior (front) of the shoulder joint. It is often mentioned separately from the rest of the rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus and teres minor) but is essentially part of this group of muscles running from back to front covering the head of the humerus (ball of the shoulder joint).
Left: Subscapularis muscle and its attachments
Right: Subscapularis muscle in relation to other muscles. S=Subscapularis, SS=supraspinatus, IS=infraspinatus,
The action of the subscapularis is to internally rotate the shoulder joint and act as a main stabiliser of the head in the socket.
Subscapularis Tendon Tears
These are often due to injuries eg. the patient falls with an outstretched arm or the arm is forced backwards through some force.
Characteristically these injuries are very painful immediately after the tear and the following few weeks. Apart from being painful there will always also be weakness when trying to lift the arm or reach underneath the armpit on the other side.
Some tears can also be due to degeneration (“wear and tear”). Note that tears of the subscapularis may be isolated or in combination with the rest of the rotator cuff tendons often with supraspinatus.
Arthroscopic view of subscapularis tear.
In many instances the Subscapularis Tendon Tears may be associated with a biceps tendon which has slipped out of its groove and literally cut through the subscapularis tendon.
Impingement of the cuff muscle under the shoulder bone (acromion) can result in a tear.
Diagnosis of Subscapularis Tendon Tears
1. Clinical
Clinical diagnosis.
2. Radiological diagnosis
Radiological diagnosis.
MRI
MRI shows tears and fatty changes in muscle.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound accurately shows subscapularis tears and biceps tendon involvement.
Management of Subscapularis Tendon Tears
It is generally accepted that there is little room to leave these tears unrepaired. Progressively the shoulder function may become worse and the tear become irreparable. (repair of these tears is usually done arthroscopically by ourselves but open repair may also be done if the surgeon so prefers).
If only an acromioplasty is needed, the prominent tip of the acromion is shaved off till an adequate space for the rotator cuff is created. This only takes about 20 minutes, and can be done with local or general anaesthesia. The patient can be discharged from the hospital on the same day.
Left: tear of the subscapularis tendon (arrow).
Right: area of attachment of the subscapularis tendon.
Area of attachment of subscapularis tendon.
Following the repair the arm will be immobilised in a shoulder sling with the arm internally rotated hanging in a comfortable position across the body and active motion will be allowed as time progresses between 4-6 weeks.
Irreparable subscapularis tears
Sometimes, it is impossible to repair old and “ withered” tendons. In these cases, a tendon transfer may be performed to “balance” the shoulder joint.
The tendon to be transferred is the Pectoralis major (Pecs) muscle.
The pec major muscle is aligned in the same direction as the subscapularis, and often replicates its function, fully, or partly.
Left: Pectoralis major muscle
Right: Tendon transfer.