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Mechanical properties of the rotator cuff: response to cyclic loading at varying abduction angles

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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The rotator cuff is loaded under static as well as dynamic conditions. Whilst the static properties of the rotator cuff muscle-tendon junctions have been reported, the dynamic mechanical behaviour has not. This study reports the dynamic mechanical properties with varying abduction angles in a human cadaver rotator cuff. No significant effect was found with varying the angle of testing or in the presence of a tear in the tendon. The supraspinatus was found to be the stiffest of the rotator cuff tendons followed by the subscapularis and infraspinatus.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Division of Surgery, Edmund Blacket Building, Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, 2031, Randwick, Sydney, Australia

    E. J. Nightingale, C. P. Allen, D. H. Sonnabend, J. Goldberg & W. R. Walsh

Authors
  1. E. J. Nightingale
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  2. C. P. Allen
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  3. D. H. Sonnabend
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  4. J. Goldberg
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  5. W. R. Walsh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to W. R. Walsh.

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Nightingale, E.J., Allen, C.P., Sonnabend, D.H. et al. Mechanical properties of the rotator cuff: response to cyclic loading at varying abduction angles. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 11, 389–392 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-003-0404-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-003-0404-5

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