Watson graded the size of a complete tear of the rotator cuff based on the size of tear in the individual ligaments. The author is from Guy’s Hospital in London.
Ligament
Maximum Percent of Rotator Cuff
subscapularis
30%
supraspinatus
30%
infraspinatus
30%
biceps
10%
percent tear of rotator cuff =
= ((percent tear of subscapularis) / 100 * 30%) + ((percent tear of suprapinatus) / 100 * 30%) + ((percent tear of infraspinatus) / 100 * 30%) + ((percent tear of biceps) / 100 * 10%)
Interpretation:
• minimum tear: 0%
• maximum tear: 100%
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