Guillen-Astete Carlos, Botija-Villarejo Maria, Boteanu Alina, Blazquez-Canamero and Maria Angeles
Many epidemiological studies have been performed to ascertain the prevalence of the different etiologies of shoulder pain. Most of them are based on secondary care units and do not take into account patients who present with acute or hyperacute shoulder pain. We conducted a crosssectional study in an emergency unit to determine the prevalence ofultrasonographic findings in those patients. Superspinatus compromise was detected in 86.7% while subscapularis tendon involvement was assessed in 26.8%. Tendinosiswas more frequent in patients with hyperacute shoulder pain. Tendon tear was higher (47.4%) in patients with acute shoulder pain rather than hyperacute (34.2%) or chronic (18.4%). Subacromial bursitis was higher in patient that consulted sooner. We evaluate several interpretations to our findings considering possible relationships between bursitis, tear and calcifications according to time of onset of symptoms.
