Overcoming Subacromial Impingement, as a Term and Concept: Rationale and Proposals

Background/Objectives: Subacromial impingement syndrome has traditionally been described as pathological contact between the rotator cuff and the anterolateral aspect of the acromion and has long been regarded as a primary cause of shoulder pain and tendon injury. Despite a substantial body of literature questioning the very existence of subacromial impingement as a pathological entity, the diagnosis continues to be widely used in medical and rehabilitation settings as a predominantly biomechanical explanation for shoulder pain. The objective of this review is to determine whether the concept of subacromial impingement should be abandoned in clinical practice, interprofessional communication, and the clinician–patient relationship, and to explore which alternatives may be more appropriate.