Shoulder impingement in tennis/racquetball players treated with subscapularis myofascial treatments

Abstract

Conservative care of the athlete with shoulder impingement includes activity modification, application of ice, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, subacromial corticosteroid injections, and physiotherapy. This case report describes the clinical treatment and outcome of three patients with shoulder impingement syndrome who did not respond to traditional treatment. Two of the three were previously referred for arthroscopic surgery. All three were treated with subscapularis trigger point dry needling and therapeutic stretching. They responded to treatment and had returned to painless function at follow-up 2 years later.