REVIEW ARTICLE
SHOULDER INTERNAL IMPINGEMENT SYNDROME: CURRENT
CONCEPTS IN DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT
1
Orthopaedic, Rehasport Clinic, Poznań, Poland
2
Student Research Group of Hand Surgery, Student Scientific Society, Poznań University
of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
Submission date: 2025-09-23
Acceptance date: 2025-09-30
Publication date: 2025-11-26
Corresponding author
Issue Rehabil. Orthop. Neurophysiol. Sport Promot. 2025;52(3):56-63
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Shoulder impingement syndromes are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in overhead active individuals. Among these, subacromial impingement is the most widely studied. In this paper we focused on less evaluated internal impingement syndrome, which can lead to impaired upper limb function. Our aim was to provide current knowledge about etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this pathology.
Review methods:
We searched PubMed, BioMedCentral, and ScienceDirect databases with the phrase “internal impingement syndrome“ and “shoulder internal impingement“. Articles published since 2017 (within the last 8 years) were included in this study.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Internal impingement syndrome occurs during the “late cocking” phase of throwing, in which the arm is held in maximal external rotation and abduction. This results in injury to gle noid posterosuperior labrum and partial rotator cuff tears. The base for diagnosis is clinical examination with provocative tests. Physical evaluation should be confirmed by imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. The first line of treatment is conservative. When this approach fails to succeed, surgery should be considered. In such cases, internal impingement syndrome can be effectively managed operatively by shoulder arthroscopy with repair and debridement of injured structures.
Summary:
Internal impingement syndrome can be a serious, insidious, and gradual process. Although it has less prevalence than other shoulder sources of pain, clinicians should be aware of its characteristics. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may result in better prognosis and out comes for patients.
Shoulder impingement syndromes are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain in overhead active individuals. Among these, subacromial impingement is the most widely studied. In this paper we focused on less evaluated internal impingement syndrome, which can lead to impaired upper limb function. Our aim was to provide current knowledge about etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this pathology.
Review methods:
We searched PubMed, BioMedCentral, and ScienceDirect databases with the phrase “internal impingement syndrome“ and “shoulder internal impingement“. Articles published since 2017 (within the last 8 years) were included in this study.
Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Internal impingement syndrome occurs during the “late cocking” phase of throwing, in which the arm is held in maximal external rotation and abduction. This results in injury to gle noid posterosuperior labrum and partial rotator cuff tears. The base for diagnosis is clinical examination with provocative tests. Physical evaluation should be confirmed by imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. The first line of treatment is conservative. When this approach fails to succeed, surgery should be considered. In such cases, internal impingement syndrome can be effectively managed operatively by shoulder arthroscopy with repair and debridement of injured structures.
Summary:
Internal impingement syndrome can be a serious, insidious, and gradual process. Although it has less prevalence than other shoulder sources of pain, clinicians should be aware of its characteristics. Prompt diagnosis and treatment may result in better prognosis and out comes for patients.
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| ISSN: | 2300-0767 |
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