Degenerative Injury and Acute Trauma Lead to Rotator Cuff Tear: How can we Judge the Relationship Between Acute Trauma and Disease?

Authors: Zhongchong Liu, Xiwei Zhang and Liangcheng Ding*

DOI: 10.23880/ijfsc-16000422

Volume 9, Issue 4

Abstract

Degenerative injury (own disease) and acute trauma are the two most common causes of rotator cuff tears (RCTs). It is always difficult to judge whether an RCT is caused by the former, the latter or the combination of both when the two factors coexist in the clinical appraisal of forensic medicine. To solve this problem, this paper reviews the literature from four aspects: the anatomical structure of the rotator cuff, the injury mechanism of the RCT, medical imaging and forensic clinical identification. We hope to provide a reliable forensic path for determining the relationship between acute trauma and one’s own disease through a discussion of the following content. Key ideas • The signs of accompanying injury on MRI and the magnitude and form of acute trauma can be used to analyze whether acute trauma leads to RCT. • Depending on X-ray or CT and MRI, the factors of own disease can be analyzed to determine the degree of the disease. • The above two parts form clear appraisal results for court judgment.

Keywords: Rotator Cuff Tear; Medical Imaging; Forensic Medicine

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