Upper limb injuries represent close to 23% of occupational injuries, and more than $50 million is paid out annually for personalized rehabilitation plans. The problems raised by clinicians and scientists include the difficulty establishing a clear prognosis on the risk of having major functional limitations following a shoulder injury. For example, some workers with injuries diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have few upper limb limitations, while others, with similar injuries, are unable to raise their arm above their head or to put on their coat without major pain. It is therefore essential to have reliable clinical indices for predicting the risk of chronicity of a shoulder injury in order to propose adapted rehabilitation plans.

The aim of this project is to develop a quantitative radiological index that could be correlated with the functional level of workers who have suffered a shoulder injury. This index can be used to identify patients whose situation could evolve towards chronicity, and who could benefit from better adapted therapeutic management.