Abstract | Glenohumeralni zglob, zbog svoje sferoidne anatomije, najmobilniji je i najkompleksniji zglob u ljudskom tijelu. Stabilizacija ovog zgloba zahtijeva dinamičku i statičku ravnotežu, pri čemu su rotatorna manžeta i ligamenti ključni faktori. Upravo iz tog razloga nastaju degenerativne promjene, poput kalcificirajućeg tendinitisa i rupture rotatorne manžete te često i značajno utječu na funkcionalnost ramena. Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je istražiti pojavu kalcificirajućeg tendinitisa i rupture rotatorne manžete kod pacijenata koji su bili na pregledu u Poliklinici Scipion, te analizirati razlike u pojavnosti ovih stanja u odnosu na dob, spol i njihovu lokalizaciju u tetivama mišića rotatorne manžete. |
Abstract (english) | Introduction and Research Objective: The glenohumeral joint, due to its spheroidal anatomy, is the most mobile and complex joint in the human body. The stabilization of this joint requires a dynamic and static balance, with the rotator cuff and ligaments playing key roles. Degenerative changes, such as calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tears, are common and significantly affect shoulder function. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tears in patients at the Scipion Polyclinic and to analyze the differences in the prevalence of these conditions with respect to age, gender, and their localization in the rotator cuff tendons.
Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted on a sample of 126 patients (63 men and 63 women) who visited the Scipion Polyclinic between April and August 2024 due to suspected calcific tendinitis and/or rotator cuff tears. The average age of the participants was 55.3 years. The primary diagnostic tool was ultrasound, and the data included age, gender, ultrasound findings, and any additional diagnostic examinations such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray. Bias was prevented by conducting the examinations without informing the specialist of the study's objectives.
Results: Calcifications were recorded in 66.7 % of the participants, while degenerative tears were present in 45.2 % of the participants. No statistically significant difference was found in the prevalence of calcific tendinitis between men and women, while calcifications were more common in patients over 40 years old. A similar results were observed in the prevalance of the rotator cuff tears, where no significant gender differences were found. The most commonly affected muscle tendons in both conditions are on supraspinatus, subscapularis, infraspinatus, and teres minor muscle. Additionally, 14.3 % of the participants developed frozen shoulder after the initial diagnosis.
Conclusion: The study showed that calcific tendinitis and rotator cuff tears are more common in individuals over 40 years old, with no significant gender differences in prevalence. Future research should include a combination of ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical examination to further investigate the relationship between these conditions and the risk of developing complex diseases such as frozen shoulder. |