Medbridge Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) Test 1 Practice

The main idea here is how overuse causes subacromial impingement, which most often targets the supraspinatus tendon. When the arm is raised, the supraspinatus passes under the acromial arch and through the subacromial space. Repetitive overhead movement compresses this tendon between the humeral head and the acromion, leading to microtrauma, tendinopathy, and pain. The supraspinatus also has a relatively vulnerable blood supply in its critical zone near its insertion, making it especially susceptible to degeneration with chronic overuse. While other rotator cuff tendons can be involved in shoulder pathology, they are less commonly the primary structure affected by classic overuse impingement.