REPRODUCIBILITY OF MRI DIRECT TEAR SIGNS IN ASSESSING SUBSCAPULAR TENDON INJURIES IN ATHLETES

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the reproducibility of MRI direct tear signs in the diagnosis of subscapular tendon injuries in athletes, a crucial aspect for sports-related medical evaluations. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 163 athletes (72 males, 91 females) who underwent MRI and shoulder arthroscopy in our sports medicine department from October 2020 to October 2022. Participants were classified into two groups based on arthroscopic findings: those with intact subscapular tendons (104 patients) and those with confirmed tendon tears (59 patients). Two evaluators—a radiology resident and an attending physician—reviewed the MRI scans independently at two different times, one month apart, to determine the presence of direct tear signs. The intra-observer and inter-observer repeatability was statistically analyzed using the kappa (K) coefficient. Results: Preliminary findings suggest a high level of agreement between the two sets of observations for both intra-observer and inter-observer assessments, indicating that MRI direct tear signs are a reliable and consistent tool for diagnosing subscapular tendon injuries in athletes. Conclusion: The use of MRI direct tear signs is a reproducible diagnostic method for subscapular tendon injuries in athletes. This consistency is vital for developing effective, targeted treatment plans in sports medicine, enhancing the accuracy of prognostic assessments and potentially improving the management and recovery outcomes for athletes with shoulder injuries.