According to prior studies including the one from Kolo et al, an abnormal thickened torn supraspinatus tendon (>9 mm) raises the possibility of Fosbury flop tear which shows a superomedial orientation of the stump.

Other less sensitive criteria in diagnosing this tear include adherence between the bursal side of the tendon and the subacromial bursa as well as the accumulation of fluid in the superomedial portion of the subacromial bursa.