Health Sci Rep. 2026 May 4;9(5):e72021. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.72021. eCollection 2026 May.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a common cause of shoulder pain and dysfunction. This study explored the association between coracoacromial ligament (CAL) thickness and SIS using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
METHODS: This cross-sectional MRI-based observational study involved 47 patients aged 18-70 years with shoulder pain. T2 fat-saturated sagittal MRI views were used to measure CAL thickness at proximal and distal portions by two radiologists. Statistical analyses included t-tests, χ 2 tests, and Pearson’s correlation, with significance set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: Mean proximal CAL thickness was 1.24 mm (SD = 0.44 mm), and distal thickness was 1.50 mm (SD = 0.72 mm). Patients with SIS had significantly greater thickness at proximal (1.36 mm vs. 1.05 mm, p = 0.002, d = 0.82) and distal (1.78 mm vs. 1.12 mm, p = 0.001, d = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.39-0.93). Males showed greater distal thickness (1.62 mm) than females (1.34 mm, p = 0.04, d = 0.45). Age did not correlate with thickness (p > 0.71). Subacromial bursitis (70.21%, p < 0.001) and acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteophytes (68.09%, p = 0.003) were prevalent and associated with SIS.
CONCLUSION: CAL thickness, particularly at the distal portion, was strongly associated with SIS, independent of age but varying by gender. Measuring CAL thickness may aid SIS diagnosis.
PMID:42095187 | PMC:PMC13139633 | DOI:10.1002/hsr2.72021
