Subacromial Impingement: Is there a correlation between symptoms & severity?
Authors: M Snow, D Cheong, L Funk
References: Shoulder & Elbow. 1(2):89-92. Nov. 2009.
Abstract
Aims:To determine whether a correlation exists between the clinical symptoms and signs of impingement, and the severity of the lesions seen at bursoscopy.
Methods: Fifty-five patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression were analysed. Preoperatively patients completed an assessment form consisting of visual analogue pain score, and shoulder satisfaction. The degree of clinical impingement was also recorded. At arthroscopy impingement was classified according to the Copeland-Levy classification [reference on ShoulderDoc]. Post operatively the shoulder assessment was repeated. Statistical analysis was carried to determine if the degree of impingement at arthroscopy correlated with preoperative pain, satisfaction and clinical signs of impingement.
Results: Pre-op pain levels, shoulder satisfaction and degree of clinical impingement did not correlate significantly with severity of the lesions of the acromion and cuff. (Average Correlation co-efficient r2 0.018) There was no correlation between the improvement in the shoulders post-op and the severity of lesions. (r2 0.008)
Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between pain, clinical signs, or satisfaction and the severity of lesions seen at arthroscopy.
Methods: Fifty-five patients who underwent arthroscopic subacromial decompression were analysed. Preoperatively patients completed an assessment form consisting of visual analogue pain score, and shoulder satisfaction. The degree of clinical impingement was also recorded. At arthroscopy impingement was classified according to the Copeland-Levy classification [reference on ShoulderDoc]. Post operatively the shoulder assessment was repeated. Statistical analysis was carried to determine if the degree of impingement at arthroscopy correlated with preoperative pain, satisfaction and clinical signs of impingement.
Results: Pre-op pain levels, shoulder satisfaction and degree of clinical impingement did not correlate significantly with severity of the lesions of the acromion and cuff. (Average Correlation co-efficient r2 0.018) There was no correlation between the improvement in the shoulders post-op and the severity of lesions. (r2 0.008)
Conclusion: There is no significant correlation between pain, clinical signs, or satisfaction and the severity of lesions seen at arthroscopy.
