Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS)
represents a spectrum of pathology ranging
from subacromial bursitis to rotator cuff
tendinopathy and full-thickness rotator cuff
tears. The relationship between subacromial
impingement and rotator cuff disease in the
etiology of rotator cuff injury is a matter of
debate. However, the etiology is multi-factorial,
and it has been attributed to both extrinsic
and intrinsic mechanisms. Management
includes physical therapy, injections, and, for
some patients, surgery. No high-quality randomized
controlled trials are available so far to
provide possible evidence for differences in
outcome of different treatment strategies.
There remains a need for high-quality clinical
research on the diagnosis and treatment of
SAIS