Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Wheeless

Description: impingement syndrome describes pain in subacromial space when the humerus is elevated or internally rotated;
- during humeral flexion, the supraspinatus tendon and bursa become entrapped between the anteroinferior corner of the acromion (and CA ligament) and the greater tuberosity;
- this syndrome is thought to precipitate attritional changes in the rotator cuff, leading to RTC tear;
- once the supraspinatus (and infraspinatus) tendon is disrupted there will often be further impingement and irritation which can lead to biceps tendonitis and subsequent rupture
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics