[Secondary impingement syndrome in athletes]

Dysfunction of the shoulder joint is based not only on anatomic conditions. The consideration of the special kinesiology of the shoulder helps to understand the shoulder pathology. This mainly applies to young "overhead athletes" like swimmers, handball-, basketball-, volleyball-, and racketplayers. These disciplines cause stress on the anterior joint structures (capsule, ligaments, labrum, subscapularis tendon) and lead to anterior instability. This includes anterior subluxation or even dislocation. Finally, an impingement syndrome with the typical symptoms can frequently result from these conditions. The impingement-syndrome of the elderly must be considered as a primary disease, whereas the young overhead athlete suffers from the impingement syndrome as a secondary disease and does not take the first place in therapy. The first step in therapy should to be treat the muscular imbalance of the shoulder. To gain a regular pattern of motion the rotator cuff must be strengthened. This regimen is likely to be successful in 80-90% of the cases. If the conservative therapy fails the surgical treatment may come into consideration. Arthroscopic surgery has the advantage not to affect the proprioceptivity. To retain the previous level of performance an adequate rehabilitation programme is essential for the athlete.