SUBACROMIAL PAIN SYNDROME
The term subacromial shoulder pain is often used synonymously with the terms rotator cuff disease, rotator cuff tendinosis, and shoulder impingement syndrome.
Pathology
As calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder (details are provided in the corresponding Section) can also present with shoulder pain, the subacromial pain syndrome can also comprise calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. Sometimes the term rotator cuff tendonitis is confused with the term shoulder bursitis, but both terms refer to an inflammation of a particular area within the shoulder joint (i.e., the subacromial space) that is causing a common set of symptoms and is named shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). The term SIS is descriptive and refers to pinching of the tendons and bursa of the rotator cuff between bones (i.e., in the subacromial space). In most acute cases SIS is a combination of inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons (tendonitis) and inflammation of the bursa that surrounds these tendons (bursitis). In many cases of SIS the subacromial space is reduced because of the different shape of the bones compared to healthy control people.
The condition is often caused by an initial injury, starting the inflammatory process. This may cause thickening of the tendons or bursa, taking up more space and pinching these structures even more, resulting in more inflammation.
Accordingly, the problem can be self-exacerbating, resulting in a vicious circle of inflammation, thickening of the tendons and bursa, pinching of these structures, more inflammation, and so on.
Diagnosis is based on the clinical features of the disease. Diagnostic imaging should be considered to rule out other causes of shoulder pain (including calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder) or to establish the diagnosis of SIS when in doubt.
Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is the most common form of shoulder pain, and repetitive activity at or above the shoulder during work or sports (including swimming, throwing, tennis, weightlifting, golf, volleyball, and gymnastics) represents the main risk factor for SIS. Increasing age predisposes to SIS.
With respect to therapy, three different stages of SIS are distinguished:
- Stage 1 (acute inflammation, edema, and hemorrhage in the rotator cuff): conservative treatment including rest, icing, physiotherapy, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Stage 2 (continuum of Stage 1, with the rotator cuff tendon progressing to fibrosis and tendonitis): conservative treatment, radial shock wave therapy (RSWT), or surgery when conservative treatment and RSWT fail.
- Stage 3 (mechanical disruption of the rotator cuff tendon and/or changes in the coracoacromial arch with osteophytosis along the anterior acromion): surgery.
Radial shock wave therapy can be a very effective element of shoulder impingement syndrome treatment.
Side effects of Radial Shock Wave Therapy (RSWT®) using the Swiss DolorClast®
When performed properly, RSWT® with the Swiss DolorClast® has only minimal risks. Typical device-related non-serious adverse events are:
- Pain and discomfort during and after treatment (anesthesia is not necessary)
- Reddening of the skin
- Petechia
- Swelling and numbness of the skin over the treatment area
These device-related non-serious adverse events usually disappear within 36h after the treatment.
Treatment Procedure
Palpate
Locate the area of pain through palpation and biofeedback.
Mark
Mark the area of pain.
Apply gel
Apply coupling gel to transmit shock waves to the tissue.
Apply shock waves
Deliver Radial or Focused Shock Waves to the area of pain while keeping the applicator firmly in place on the skin.
Clinical Proof
Radial extracorporeal shockwave treatment compared with supervised exercises in patients with subacromial pain syndrome: a single blind randomised study.
Engebretsen K, Grotle M, Bautz-Holter E, et al.
Brit Med J 2009; 339:b3360
Comparison of the recovery of patients suffering from shoulder pain with two different methods: extracorporeal shock wave therapy and supervised exercises.
View Study →
Recommended Settings
| Recommended Settings | Treatment | Myofascial Therapy |
| Number of treatment sessions | 3 to 5 | 3 to 5 |
| Interval between two sessions | 1 week | 1 week |
| Air pressure Evo Blue® | 2 to 4 bar | 3 to 4 bar |
| Air pressure Power+ | 1.5 to 3 bar | 2 to 4 bar |
| Impulses | 2000 on the painful spot |
2000
|
| Frequency | 8Hz to 12Hz | 12Hz to 20Hz |
| Applicator | 15mm | 36mm |
| Skin pressure | Moderate 3 sides of the tendon | Moderate to Heavy |
Contraindications
The following contraindications of RSWT using the Swiss DolorClast® must be considered:
- Treatment over air-filled tissue (lung, gut)
- Treatment of pre-ruptured tendons
- Treatment of pregnant women
- Treatment of patients under the age of 18 years (except for Osgood-Schlatter disease and muscular dysfunction in children with spastic movement disorders)
- Treatment of patients with blood-clotting disorders (including local thrombosis)
- Treatment of patients treated with oral anticoagulants
- Treatment of tissue with local tumors or local bacterial and/or viral infections
- Treatment of patients treated with cortisone
Some indications may not be approved in the United States of America, under regulation by the US FDA. Please refer to the respective Instructions for Use.