Glyceryl trinitrate patches—An alternative treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome

Transdermal glyceryl trinitrate patches have been investigated as an alternative therapeutic intervention for a range of tendinopathies, due to the ease of titration of dosage and the ease of their application. Glyceryl trinitrate has been inferred to reduce pain and inflammation secondary to their nitric oxide-producing action. Shoulder impingement syndrome is a soft tissue condition that manifests as anterior shoulder pain, weakness, and difficulty in daily activities. This review will evaluate the efficacy of glyceryl trinitrate patches in treating a variety of rotator cuff tendinopathies related to shoulder impingement, based on human and animal trials, and suggest its practical application in future trials and management.