Chronic rotator cuff impingement in the throwing athlete.

Compromise of the space between the humeral head and the coracoacromial arch may be a source of chronic shoulder pain associated with rotator cuff impingement in the athlete participating in throwing sports. In certain carefully selected individuals, surgical decompression may alleviate these symptoms. The surgical procedure can be done under local anesthesia and may enable the athlete to return to his previous level of performance without disability.