Combined clinical test and magnetic resonance imaging have similar diagnostic values in the diagnosis of subscapularis tear

Purpose The aim of the present study was to compare the diagnostic values of clinical tests and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which used for the diagnosis of subscapularis (SSc) tears in the patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery. Methods Two-hundred and nine consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery between 2015 and 2019 were analyzed. The lift-off test, belly-press test and bear-hug test were performed preoperatively. 1.5 T MRI scans of all patients were evaluated for SSc integrity. The diagnostic values of both clinical tests and MRI were calculated. SSc tears were graded according to Fox and Romeo. Arthroscopic findings were used as the gold standard for diagnosis of SSc tears. Results There were 54 SSc tears accounting for an prevalence of 29%. The BHT showed the greatest sensitivity for both type II–II–IV (73.3%) and all types of (68.5%) SSc tears. The sensitivity and specificity of the combined test and MRI were 91.1–87.2% and 93.3–90.8% in Type II–III–IV SSc tears, respectively, and 81.5–88.6% and 88.9–94.7% in all SSc tears, respectively. There were no statistically significant difference between combined test and MRI in terms of sensitivity and specificity (n.s.). Conclusion The present study is the first that compared both clinical tests and MRI with arthroscopic findings in terms of sensitivity and specificity in the same patient group. A combination of clinical tests increases their diagnostic values and shows similar sensitivity and specificity as MRI. Level of evidence I.