Cross Sectional Area of the Supraspinatus Muscle and Acromio-humeral Distance in Overhead Athletes With and Without Shoulder Pain: A Cross-sectional Study

Context: The supraspinatus muscle has an important role in the stabilization of the glenohumeral joint. Identifying abnormalities concerning its size and the subacromial space in the presence of pain may be relevant to provide more specific treatments focused on the etiology of pain. Objective: To determinate whether painful shoulder causes changes in the supraspinatus cross-sectional area (CSA) and the acromio-humeral distance (AHD) between overhead athletes. Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: University campus and local sports clubs' Physical Therapist room. Participants: 81 male overhead athletes were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of shoulder pain and clinical symptoms. Main Outcome Measures: Ultrasonography measurements of the supraspinatus CSA and the AHD in 2 groups of overhead athletes with and without pain. Results: In the pain group, the CSA was significantly smaller compared with the no pain group. No differences between groups were found in the AHD measurement. Conclusions: Shoulder pain in overhead athletes was associated with a reduction in their supraspinatus muscle CSA, but not in the AHD. These findings suggest that muscle atrophy exists in the presence of pain. However, in active overhead athletes, the AHD is not clearly reduced in overhead athletes with shoulder pain. Further studies are needed to understand this condition.