Aetiologies leading to GH impingement

Well for starters let's remind ourselves that aetiology is 'the study of the causes'!

Aetiologies for glenohumeral impingement can be divided into primary (direct cause) or secondary (indirect cause)

Primary

• Subacromial bursal thickening
• Increased subacromial loading
• Trauma (direct macrotrauma/repetetive microtrauma)
• Excessive overhead activity (too much waving to someone)
• Acromioclavicular arthrosis (osteophytes)

Secondary

• GH laxity/instability (note: laxity may be normal for some people)
• Muscle imbalance
• Scapula dyskinesia (difficulty or distortion in performing voluntary movements)
• Glenoid labrum lesions (joint will be less stable if the socket depth is decreased)