About Courses Library Newsletter Contact

Multidisciplinary Shoulder & Elbow Society Library

Our comprehensive library has everything you need to help you better understand your patients' shoulder or elbow problems.

What is Subacromial Impingement?

impingement rotator cuff related pain rotator cuff tendinopathy shoulder pain subacromial impingement subacromial pain syndrome
Subacromial Impingement Shoulder Pain

The diagnosis of impingement is an umbrella term to describe the mechanism of shoulder pain that stems from the structures under the subacromial arch and coracohumeral ligament. It’s a broad term. Some clinicians feel that it’s a junk term. It does not specifically identify the painful structure(s). It’s kinda in the same ballpark as “mechanical back pain.” The truth is, for both conditions - shoulder impingement and mechanical back pain - we don’t really know 100% the true source of pain.1 However, like mechanical low back pain, subacromial impingement can definitely direct the patients’ conservative and surgical management strategy. 

 

  1. de Witte PB, Nagels J, van Arkel ER, Visser CP, Nelissen RG, de Groot JH. Study protocol subacromial impingement syndrome: the identification of pathophysiologic mechanisms (SISTIM). BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2011;12:282. Published 2011 Dec 14. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-12-282

Categories

All Categories ac joint dislocations ac joint separations acromioclavicular joint adhesive capsulitis advice anatomy antuna and seebauer classification arthroscopic subacromial decompression bursa capsule case of the week case study cervical spine cervicogenic pain charcot classification classification systems clinical pearls codman conservative continous learning continuing education corticosteroid cortisone cross-body adduction test cubital tunnel syndrome deltoid drop-arm sign dunning-krugger effect elbow elbow arthritis elbow arthroscopy elbow contractures elbow ct scan elbow imaging elbow osteoarthritis elbow pain elbow radiographs elbow septic arthritis elbow stability elbow stiffness elbow surgery elbow x-rays empty can epidemiology external rotation resistance flexor pronator strain force couple frozen shoulder full can glenohumeral joint glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis glenohumeral ligament glenoid bone loss hawkins-kennedy hemiarthroplasty historical definitions impingement infographic injection injury instability joint journal of shoulder and elbow surgery labral tears labrum lift-off test ligaments management muscles myofascial pain neck pain neer's sign neuropathic arthropathy neuropathy nonoperative normal shoulder orthopaedic special test orthopaedic special tests orthopaedics osteoarthritis osteomyelitis pain relief painful arc pathomechanics patient guide physiotherapy quiz question quiz question of the week radiculopathy range of motion rehabilitation revision surgery rotator cuff rotator cuff related pain rotator cuff tendinopathy scapular tilt scapulothoracic motion screw axes glenohumeral joint shoulder shoulder & elbow specialists shoulder arthritis shoulder dislocation shoulder instability shoulder motion shoulder osteoarthritis shoulder pain shoulder stability slap spurling test stability stable shoulder subacromial impingement subacromial pain syndrome subacromial space surgery synovial membrane the rockwood classification the unstable shoulder throwing injuries total shoulder arthroplasty trauma traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation treatment tubs ulnar collateral ligament injury ulnar nerve upper trapezius
FREE GIFT: SHOULDER CARE ALGORITHM INFOGRAPHIC

Join Our Newsletter & Get a FREE Membership

By signing up you for our newsletter you will get a FREE membership to the Multidisciplinary Shoulder & Elbow Society and we will send you our Shoulder Care Algorithm Infographic which was created and is used by our shoulder & elbow fellowship trained orthopaedic surgeons. On top of that you will receive our weekly newsletter which includes articles, educational resource, surgeon clinical pearls, along with access to instructional courses and the annual meeting.

You're safe with me. I'll never spam you or sell your contact info.