Supraspinatus atrophy as a predictor of rotator cuff tear size: an MRI study utilizing the tangent sign

Hypothesis We hypothesize that the degree of supraspinatus atrophy, as assessed with the tangent sign will significantly correlate with increasing rotator cuff tear size. Methods A retrospective review was performed assessing presence of muscle atrophy using the tangent sign, fatty atrophy based on Goutallier classification, and size of rotator cuff tear in 34 patients. A correlation analysis was performed. Results All agreement measures among both evaluators were statistically significant ( P