Symptomatic rotator cuff tears frequently associated with abduction contracture

Why some rotator cuff tears are asymptomatic is not well-understood. We measured the glenohumeral adduction angle (GAA) with scapular fixation and proved that patients with shoulder stiffness and/or rotator cuff tear usually had abduction contracture. Our study aimed to (1) check the frequency of abduction contracture, (2) measure GAA, and (3) evaluate the result of adduction manipulation among patients with symptomatic rotator cuff tear.