What condition is characterized by the pinching of the rotator cuff tendons?

Shoulder impingement syndrome is characterized by the pinching of the rotator cuff tendons as they pass through the shoulder joint. This condition occurs when the space between the acromion (part of the shoulder blade) and the humeral head (the top of the upper arm bone) narrows, often due to factors such as bone spurs, inflammation, or overuse. As a result, movements involving the arm, particularly those that lift the arm overhead, can cause pain and discomfort due to the tendons being compressed during these actions.

In contrast, conditions like shoulder dislocation involve the dislocation of the joint rather than tendon compression, while a rotator cuff tear involves a more significant injury to the tendon itself, leading to weakness or inability to lift the arm, rather than just the pinching sensation associated with impingement. Arthritis refers to the inflammation of joints, which may contribute to pain in the shoulder but does not directly describe the mechanism of tendon pinching characteristic of impingement syndrome.