The Shoulder

Total rupture of the infraspinatus tendon

A total rupture of the infraspinatus is more frequent than a rupture of the supraspinatus tendon.
It usually happens in patients over 50 years.
Most tears appear to occur in tendons that are weakenedby a combination of age, hypovascularity, impingement and small episodes of trauma.
Usually the rupture is the result of a direct or indirect trauma or a sudden eolgation-traction to an already weakened tendon.
The lesion is always situated in the body of the tendon.

Not every full thickness tear of the infraspinatus is symptomatic.

An acute traumatic rupture causes severe pain during a few weeks.

Chronic rupture :A weak but painless lateral rotation remains after the acute inflammation has disappeared. Secundary to the loss of the infraspinatus, the passive lateral rotation remains limited.