Morphology of the Lesser Tuberosity and Intertubercular Groove in Patients With Arthroscopically Confirmed Subscapularis and Biceps Tendon Pathology

Purpose To evaluate for an association between the morphology of the lesser tuberosity and intertubercular groove and subscapularis tendon tears and biceps tendon pathology. Methods Sixty-six patients with arthroscopically confirmed subscapularis tendon tears were compared with 59 demographically matched control patients who underwent magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography arthrography examination of the shoulder. Measurements of the lesser tuberosity and intertubercular groove included maximum depth of the intertubercular groove, intertubercular groove depth at the midpoint of the glenoid, lesser tuberosity length, length from the top of the humeral head to the point of maximum depth of the intertubercular groove, length from the top of the humeral head to the top of the lesser tuberosity, and medial wall angle and depth. Results Patients with subscapularis tears showed a significantly decreased depth of the intertubercular groove at the mid glenoid ( P = .01), shorter length of the lesser tuberosity ( P = .002), and greater distance from the top of the humeral head to the top of the lesser tuberosity ( P = .02). There was a trend toward a decreased medial wall angle ( P = .07) and greater distance from the top of the humeral head to the point of maximum intertubercular groove depth ( P = .06). Patients with biceps tendon pathology showed a significantly decreased depth of the intertubercular groove at the mid glenoid ( P = .001), shorter length of the lesser tuberosity ( P = .0003), greater distance from the top of the humeral head to the top of the lesser tuberosity ( P = .01), and decreased medial wall angle ( P = .01) and depth ( P = .03). Conclusions There are several morphologic factors related to the lesser tuberosity and intertubercular groove that are associated with both subscapularis tendon tears and biceps tendon pathology. Level of Evidence Level III, case-control study.