July 15, 2026

Shoulder injuries are common in workers’ compensation claims. However, recent research on the prevalence of rotator cuff abnormalities in the general population suggests that claims involving rotator cuff tears in individuals over forty should be evaluated carefully.

A study titled “Incidental Rotator Cuff Abnormalities on Magnetic Resonance Imaging,” published in JAMA Internal Medicine on February 16, 2026, examined MRI results from 600 Finnish adults between the ages of 41 and 76. The findings were striking: 99 percent of participants had at least one rotator cuff abnormality detected on MRI. Despite this high rate of abnormalities, only 18 percent of participants reported having symptoms prior to the imaging.

These results indicate that tendinopathy and both partial and full-thickness rotator cuff tears are extremely common in adults over forty, even among individuals who are asymptomatic. The study also found a poor correlation between symptoms and abnormal MRI findings, suggesting that many rotator cuff abnormalities may be preexisting conditions rather than acute injuries.
While the study has certain limitations, the overwhelming prevalence of abnormalities identified reinforces an important point: individuals over forty have a very high statistical likelihood of having preexisting rotator cuff pathology that will appear on MRI.

Implications for Claims Handlers
For claims professionals, this research highlights the importance of exercising caution when evaluating claims involving rotator cuff tears. In many cases, it may be more appropriate to initially accept a claim for a “shoulder strain” or “shoulder sprain,” or simply a “shoulder injury,” rather than specifically accepting a rotator cuff tear.

By doing so, the burden remains on the claimant to establish that any rotator cuff abnormalities identified on MRI are directly related to the work injury rather than a preexisting condition.

Use in Litigation
This study may also be useful in defending workers’ compensation claims involving shoulder injuries. Attorneys can reference the research when challenging causation and may use it during cross-examination of orthopedic experts to highlight the high prevalence of asymptomatic rotator cuff abnormalities in the general population.

If you would like more information or need assistance with Workers’ Compensation matters, please contact Bret R. Goldstein at bgoldstein@regerlaw.com or 215-495-6528.