Hamada classification of massive rotator cuff tears

Last revised by ARTUR GUERZONI JUNQUEIRA on 20 Mar 2024

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Nicoletti D, JUNQUEIRA A, Morsi M, et al. Hamada classification of massive rotator cuff tears. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 22 May 2024) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-171435

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-171435

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/171435

rID:

171435

Article created:

5 Jul 2023, Domenico Nicoletti ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Domenico Nicoletti had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View Domenico Nicoletti's current disclosures

Last revised:

20 Mar 2024, ARTUR GUERZONI JUNQUEIRA ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised ARTUR GUERZONI JUNQUEIRA had no financial relationships to ineligible companies to disclose.

View ARTUR GUERZONI JUNQUEIRA's current disclosures

Revisions:

5 times, by 4 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Classifications

Tags:

cases, case3

The Hamada classification divides the x-ray features of massive rotator cuff tears into five grades. Subsequently, Walch subdivided grade 4 into two subtypes ^1,2.

Classification

Hamada classification with Walch modification of rotator cuff tear arthropathy ^1,3:

grade 1: acromiohumeral interval ≥6 mm; normal glenohumeral joint

grade 2: acromiohumeral interval ≤5 mm; normal glenohumeral joint

grade 3: acromiohumeral interval ≤5 mm, with acetabulization of acromion; normal glenohumeral joint

grade 4
- grade 4a: glenohumeral osteoarthritis without acetabulization, acromiohumeral interval <7 mm
- grade 4b: glenohumeral osteoarthritis with acetabulization, acromiohumeral interval ≤5 mm

grade 5: humeral head subchondral collapse characteristic of rotator cuff tear arthropathy

History and etymology

Hamada et al. first described radiographic findings of massive rotator cuff tears in 1990 ^1,2. In 2005, Walch divided the Hamada grade 4 classification into two subtypes for patients who had glenohumeral narrowing without acromial acetabulization ³.