Rotator cuff tear patterns: MRI appearance and its surgical relevance

Insights into Imaging

Table 1 ISAKOS rotator cuff classification system for rotator cuff tears

Location (L)	Extension (E)	Pattern (P)	Fatty atrophy (A)	Retraction (R)
Partial thickness posterosuperior	< 50% thickness > 50% thickness	Articular Bursal Interstitial	SS0 IS0 SS1 IS1 SS2 IS2 SS3 IS3 SS4 IS4
Full thickness posterosuperior (SS-IS)	C1 C2 C3 C4 (Massive)	C, U, L, rL (reverse L)	SS0 IS0 SS1 IS1 SS2 IS2 SS3 IS3 SS4 IS4	1,2,3
Anterior (SSC)	1,2,3,4,5		SSC 0 SSC 1 SSC 2 SSC 3 SSC 4

Reprinted from ISAKOS Shoulder Concepts 2013: consensus and concerns By G. Arce et al. (eds.) Springer. New york.2013
SS supraspinatus, IS infraspinatus, SSC subscapularis
Geometric Classification system of rotator cuff tears: C crescent-shaped, L L-shaped, rL reverse-shaped, U U-shaped [5]