PAINFUL ARC SYNDROME
PAINFUL ARC SYNDROME
Other Names
- Impingement syndrome
- Supraspinatus syndrome
- Swimmer’s syndrome
- Thrower’s shoulder
Clinical syndrome characterized by pain in the shoulder during an arc of movement between 60° and 120° of abduction.
Etiology
- Minor tears of the supraspinatus tendon
- Supraspinatus tendinitis
- Calcification of supraspinatus tendon
- Subacromial bursitis
- Fracture of the greater tuberosity
Increase in bulk of the contents in the subacromial space, seen in inflammation of the rotator cuff
Clinical Features
- Pain, weakness and a loss of movement at the affected shoulder.
- Pain worsened by overhead movement.
- Pain worsened by lying on the affected shoulder.
- Grinding or popping sensation during movement
X-ray of the shoulder may show :
- calcific deposit, or
- a fracture of the greater tuberosityor acromion
Treatment
- Treatment depends on the pathology that is causing impingement.
1. Nonoperative
- Anti-inflammatory drugs
2. Operative
- Procedures aim at enlarging the subacromial space and decompressing it.
- Shaving of the spur (when present)
- excision of the impinging acromion
Exam Important
- Painful arc syndrome is caused by impingement of Rotator cuff tendon.
- Causes of painful arc syndrome are Supraspinatus tendinitis, Subacromial bursitis & Fracture of greater tuberosity.
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