Which finding would help rule out Subacromial Pain Syndrome?

Which finding would help rule out Subacromial Pain Syndrome?

• A. Significant loss of passive motion
• B. Painful arc
• C. Impingement signs
• D. Pain with resisted external rotation

Answer: (A)

Subacromial Pain Syndrome is driven by soft-tissue impingement and rotator cuff/hemi-tendon origin problems around the subacromial space, with the passive range of motion typically preserved because the joint capsule isn’t the limiting factor. A significant loss of passive motion, however, points to a capsular issue such as adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) or other glenohumeral joint constraints. That marked PROM limitation would steer you away from SAPS and toward a glenohumeral joint pathology. So, while a painful arc, impingement signs, and pain with resisted external rotation are all findings that fit SAPS, they do not rule it out. It’s the substantial loss of passive motion that would rule SAPS out by suggesting a different source of shoulder limitation.

Subacromial Pain Syndrome is driven by soft-tissue impingement and rotator cuff/hemi-tendon origin problems around the subacromial space, with the passive range of motion typically preserved because the joint capsule isn’t the limiting factor. A significant loss of passive motion, however, points to a capsular issue such as adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) or other glenohumeral joint constraints. That marked PROM limitation would steer you away from SAPS and toward a glenohumeral joint pathology.

So, while a painful arc, impingement signs, and pain with resisted external rotation are all findings that fit SAPS, they do not rule it out. It’s the substantial loss of passive motion that would rule SAPS out by suggesting a different source of shoulder limitation.