ROTATOR CUFF TENDON TEARS

SOME ANATOMY TO BEGIN: There are three surfaces to a tendon

1.  Bursal ( Pink arrow)
2. Intrasubstance ( Yellow Arrow)
3. Articular ( Orange arrow)

The Blue arrow demonstrates the subacromial/ subdeltoid bursa

WHAT IS A PARTIAL TEAR:

1. A partial tear is a tear that does not involve the entire tendon in the superior to inferior direction.
2. Another way to put it is that it does not extend all the way between the Articular and Bursal Surfaces.

WHAT IS IT:

1. This is a tear the begins at the bursal surface fibres.
2. Variable extension into the tendon
3. Doesnt extend through to the articular surface.

WHAT AND WHERE TO LOOK FOR:

1.  Beginning at bursal surface, high signal ( Fluid type) within tendon ( Blue arrows in image below).
2. Does not go to articular surface ( Pink arrows in image below).
3. The tendon may be thinned.
4. There may be background tendonosis.

WHAT IS IT:

1. Tear that is contained within the tendon.
2. Doesnt extend to the articular or bursal surfaces. 

WHAT AND WHERE TO LOOK FOR:

1. Look for high signal ( Fluid type) within the tendon ( Blue arrow in image below).
2. Wont extend to the articular or bursal surface.

WHAT IS IT:

1. This is a tear the begins at the articular surface fibres.
2. Variable extension into the tendon
3. Doesnt extend through to the bursal surface.

WHAT AND WHERE TO LOOK FOR:

1.  Beginning at articular surface, high signal ( Fluid type) within tendon ( Blue arrow in image below).
2. Does not go to bursal surface ( Pink arrow in image below).
3. The tendon may be thinned.
4. There may be background tendonosis.