Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41718640›Full record

GuidelineActa orthopaedica2026

Update of guideline for diagnosis and treatment of subacromial pain syndrome: a multidisciplinary review by the Dutch Orthopedic Association Part 1: preventive measures, diagnostics, and non-surgical treatment of subacromial pain syndrome.

Frederik O Lambers Heerspink, Egbert J D Veen, Oscar Dorrestijn, Cornelis P J Visser, Maarten J C Leijs, Dennis Van Poppel, Peter A Stroomberg, Ramon P G Ottenheijm, Jan W Kallewaard, Tjerk J W De Ruiter and 5 more

Abstract readPractice GuidelineReview
In one paragraph

Guideline in Acta orthopaedica, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Guideline
  2. Guideline
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

15 authors.

Frederik O Lambers HeerspinkDepartment of Orthopaedics, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo; Department of Orthopaedics and Research School Caphri, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands. lambersheerspink@gmail.com.
Egbert J D VeenDepartment of Orthopaedics, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0002-6250-4293
Oscar DorrestijnDepartment of Orthopaedics, Sint Maartens Clinic, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Cornelis P J VisserDepartment of Orthopaedics, Alrijne and Eisenhower Clinic, Leiderdorp, The Netherlands.
Maarten J C LeijsDepartment of Orthopaedics, Reinier Haga Orthopedic Center, Zoetermeer, The Netherlands.
Dennis Van PoppelDepartment of Physical Therapy, PECE Zorg, Fontys, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
Peter A StroombergDepartment of Radiology, Isala clinic, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
Ramon P G OttenheijmDepartment of General Practice, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Jan W KallewaardDepartment of Anesthesiology, Rijnstate Clinic, Arnhem, The Netherlands.
Tjerk J W De RuiterDepartment of Rehabilitation, De Ruiter Rehabilitation, Hengelo, The Netherlands.
Henk A MartensDepartment of Rheumatology, Sint Maartens Clinic, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Femke M JanssenKnowledge Institute of the Federation of Medical Specialists, advisor, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Tessa GeltinkKnowledge Institute of the Federation of Medical Specialists, advisor, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Matthijs S RuiterKnowledge Institute of the Federation of Medical Specialists, advisor, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Jos J A M Van RaaijDepartment of Orthopaedics, Martini Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

background and purposeIn 2013, the first clinical practice guideline for subacromial pain syndrome (SAPS) was developed in the Netherlands to support healthcare professionals. SAPS refers to non-traumatic, non-rheumatologic shoulder complaints that are particularly painful during arm elevation. It includes conditions such as supraspinatus tendinosis, calcific tendinitis, and degenerative supraspinatus tears. Over 50,000 patients annually consult orthopedic surgeons for these issues. In response to new evidence and clinical needs, an updated guideline was developed. Part 1 addresses prevention, diagnosis, imaging, and non-surgical treatment. Using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach, the guideline aims to answer key clinical questions around SAPS.

methodsInitiated by the Dutch Orthopedic Society, the guideline committee identified knowledge gaps through group sessions. Each module was based on a PICO-formatted key question and reviewed by professionals from different fields. The AGREE and GRADE methods were applied to ensure a systematic evaluation of evidence, leading to conclusions and recommendations.

results(i) Inform patients about the potential positive effects of a healthy lifestyle and encourage gradual exercise within sport and work. (ii) Perform a cluster of physical diagnostic tests to diagnose SAPS. (iii) Perform ultrasonography in patients with clinical suspicion of (partial thickness) rupture of the supraspinatus tendon. Consider MRI if ultrasound is not available or inconclusive. (iv) Consider barbotage for symptomatic calcific tendinosis, preferably with corticosteroid injection in the bursa, if a previous corticosteroid injection was ineffective. (v) Consider a subacromial corticosteroid injection (with a local anesthetic) to enable exercise therapy in patients with severe complaints that impair their ability to participate in exercise therapy. (vi) Consider suprascapular nerve block for patients with therapy-resistant SAPS when other non-surgical treatment is ineffective.

conclusionThe updated guideline provides multidisciplinary recommendations for physical examination, imaging, and conservative management of SAPS.

Indexed as

Shoulder Impingement SyndromeShoulder PainHumansNetherlands

Identifiers

PMID41718640
PMCPMC12908218

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.