Evaluation of the Coracohumeral Thickness in Patients with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome and Related Factors
Novelty in Biomedicine,
Vol. 14 No. 3 (2026),
25 August 2026
,
Page 133-140
https://doi.org/10.22037/nbm.v14i3.52094
Abstract
Background: Subacromial space narrowing often leads to shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS), a debilitating upper extremity disorder. Given the scarcity of research on coracohumeral ligament (CHL) thickness and its clinico-radiological correlations in affected individuals, this study aimed to evaluate CHL thickness and identify its contributing factors in patients diagnosed with SIS.
Materials and Methods: All patients with SIS referred to Taleghani Hospital (Iran, Tehran) in 2025 were evaluated in a cross-sectional study. Patients underwent shoulder sonographic evaluations in terms of the CHL thickness, and its relationship with clinical and radiological parameters was assessed. The significance level was considered to be less than 0.05.
Results: The study population comprised 81 patients (mean age 49±14 years; 54.6% male). The mean CHL thickness was 1.62 ± 1.17 mm. Statistical analysis revealed that increased CHL thickness significantly correlated with reduced active range of motion in both seated and supine positions (r: -0.277, P: 0.018; and r: -0.244, P: 0.038, respectively). Similarly, significant negative correlations were found between CHL thickness and both pain intensity during stress (r: -0.279, P: 0.017) and scapular dyskinesia (r= -0.285, P: 0.014). CHL thickness showed a strong positive correlation with both proximal and distal coracoacromial ligament thickness (r: 0.412 and 0.553, respectively; both P-values: 0.00). No significant associations were observed with radiographic or MRI findings.
Conclusion: CHL thickness was associated with several clinical manifestations of SIS and may serve as a useful sonographic parameter during patient evaluation. Further controlled studies are needed to establish its diagnostic value.
- Coracohumeral Ligament
- Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
- Sonography
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