Can mesomorphic somatotype be a predisposing factor for rotator cuff tears?

The aim of our study was to evaluate the anthropometric features used in the determination of somatotypes of patients with rotator cuff tears (RCT) and the condition before and after physiotherapy. In our study, 84 patients (43 female, 41 male) who were admitted to Tekirdağ State Hospital in 2020-2021 and diagnosed with RCT were included. Participants were grouped and evaluated in terms of age and gender. Visual analog scale (VAS) scoring for pain, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index, Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI), and Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores for shoulder function and range of motion (ROM) values were measured. The Heath-Carter method was used for somatotype determination. Conventional physical therapy was applied to patients. 64 (76.2%) patients had endomorph-mesomorph, 14 (17%) had mesomorph-endomorph, 4 (5%) had mesomorph-endomorph, 1 (1%) had balanced mesomorph and 1 (1%) had ectomorph-endomorph somatotype. 71.4% of the participants younger than 45 years of age and 50% of those between 45 and 55 had partial tears; 80% of those between 56 and 65 and 76.5% of those older than 65 had a complete tear. Of the patients, 53.3% had cardiovascular diseases, 41.3% had problems with the digestive system, 25% had diabetes, and 24% had problems with the musculoskeletal system. The presence of RCT in the non-dominant shoulder was detected in 33.5% of the patients. There were statistically significant differences between the median values of VAS, Quick DASH, WORC, SPADI, and ROM before and after physical therapy. Regardless of gender, RCT patients had predominantly mesomorphic body types. Individuals with mesomorphic body types are more likely to have RCT. The presence of full-thickness tears was found to be closely related to advanced age. Physiotherapy has been proven to be beneficial for RCT patients in our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]