Oh et al reported a classification of acromial spurs. The incidence of acromial spurs tends to increase with age. The authors are from Seoul National University and Chung-Ang University College of Medicine in South Korea.
Patient selection: acromial spur on MRI or CT images
Type
Features
Association
heel
inferior from the undersurface of the anterolateral acromion
full-thickness rotator cuff tears
lateral or anterior traction
congruent with the acromial undersurface or parallel to the direction of the rotator cuff
see below
lateral or anterior bird beak
not congruent with the acromial undersurface or the rotator cuff
see below
medial type
medial end of acromion
acromioclavicular arthritis
where:
• The lateral traction spur is located at the lateral end of the acromion.
• The anterior traction spur is an anterior projection along the coracoacromial ligament.
• The lateral bird beak spur projects from the lateral end of the acromion.
• The anterior bird beak spur is an anteroinferior projection.
• Heel spurs are formed by direct abutment of the humeral head to the acromion by superior-directed microinstability.
• Traction spurs are formed by a combination of traction of the coracoacromial ligament or deltoid muscle and interaction with the humeral head.
• Beak spurs are formed by a combination of the factors contributing to traction and heel spurs.
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