New Guidance on Diagnosing and Treating Subacromial Pain Syndrome

Most patients with subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) are managed nonoperatively by primary care clinicians, especially now that we know subacromial decompression surgery has little value. SAPS, previously referred to as “shoulder impingement syndrome,” is defined as nontraumatic, nonrheumatologic shoulder pain that occurs primarily when the arm is elevated above the shoulder. It includes pathologic diagnoses such as supraspinatus tendinosis, calcific tendinitis, and degenerative supraspinatus tears.

The latest guidance on diagnosing and managing SAPS comes from the Dutch Ort…