Subcoracoid impingement

Last revised by Henry Knipe on 15 Mar 2022

Subcoracoid impingement is an unusual form of shoulder impingement and results from narrowing of the coracohumeral interval (space between the tip of the coracoid and the humerus).

Patients present with anterior shoulder pain when the arm is held at the side (adducted, internally rotated and in forward flexion - also known as military parade rest position) 2.

Narrowing is typically seen in the setting of prior rotator cuff repair, but occasionally also results from congenital narrowing or trauma. 

The structures affected are 2:

  1. subscapularis tendon
  2. long head of the biceps tendon
  3. middle glenohumeral ligament

May show pooling fluid in subcoracoid bursa.

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