Cross Sectional Area of the Supraspinatus Muscle and Acromio-humeral Distance in Overhead Athletes With and Without Shoulder Pain: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Context:The supraspinatus muscle has an important role in the stabilization of the glenohumeral joint. Identifying abnormalities concerning its size and the subacromial space in the presence of pain may be relevant to provide more specific treatments focused on the etiology of pain.Objective:To determinate whether painful shoulder causes changes in the supraspinatus cross-sectional area (CSA) and the acromio-humeral distance (AHD) between overhead athletes.Design:Cross-sectional study.Setting:University campus and local sports clubs’ Physical Therapist room.Participants:81 male overhead athletes were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of shoulder pain and clinical symptoms.Main Outcome Measures:Ultrasonography measurements of the supraspinatus CSA and the AHD in 2 groups of overhead athletes with and without pain.Results:In the pain group, the CSA was significantly smaller compared with the no pain group. No differences between groups were found in the AHD measurement.Conclusions:Shoulder pain in overhead athletes was associated with a reduction in their supraspinatus muscle CSA, but not in the AHD. These findings suggest that muscle atrophy exists in the presence of pain. However, in active overhead athletes, the AHD is not clearly reduced in overhead athletes with shoulder pain. Further studies are needed to understand this condition.

No relationship between the acromiohumeral distance and pain in adults with subacromial pain syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Another common reason for exclusion was that the participants were not diagnosed with SAPS. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria; nine of the 15 addressed the first aim 21,29,31,32,[52][53][54][55][56] , three addressed the second aim 54,57,58 and six addressed the final aim 29,32,[59][60][61][62] . Of the nine studies that addressed the first aim, one also addressed the second aim 54 and two addressed the third aim 29,32 .…”

“…In the nine studies that addressed the first aim 21,29,31,32,[52][53][54][55][56] , 472 participants were included (mean age (SD) ranging between 23 (4) and 65 (10) years). Three of nine studies (170 participants) only included athletes, drawn from a variety of sports [54][55][56] , and the remaining studies included the general population. The sports included archery, climbing, fencing, badminton, rugby, handball, tennis, water polo and swimming.…”

“…The sports included archery, climbing, fencing, badminton, rugby, handball, tennis, water polo and swimming. Eight studies (652 participants) measured AHD and supraspinatus tendon thickness by US 21,29,32,[52][53][54][55][56] , whilst one study measured AHD through X-ray 31 . Three of the studies (64 participants) that measured supraspinatus tendon thickness by US also calculated the occupation ratio percentage 21,52,55 .…”

“…In the three studies that addressed the second aim 54,57,58 , 182 participants were included (mean age (SD) ranging between 26 (8) to 52 (no SD reported) years old). One study included an athletic population from overhead sports 54 , and the remaining two studies were derived from the general population 57,58 . Two of three included studies measured AHD by US 54,58 while one study measured AHD through X-ray and MRI 61 .…”

“…One study included an athletic population from overhead sports 54 , and the remaining two studies were derived from the general population 57,58 . Two of three included studies measured AHD by US 54,58 while one study measured AHD through X-ray and MRI 61 .…”