OVERVIEW

What Is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement results when the tendons or bursa in your shoulder become irritated from repeated overhead movements. These repetitive movements can cause the tendons or bursa to impinge on the bones. 

Examples of these movements include a swimmer's stroke or a tennis serve. 

Shoulder impingement can make your shoulder feel weak and painful, even when you are not using it.

Shoulder impingement causes and risk factors

Overhead movement of your arm causes stress on the tendons in your shoulder and rotator cuff. Any time you repeatedly move your arm overhead you risk developing shoulder impingement. Anyone old enough to participate in sports that involve overhead movement can develop shoulder impingement.

Shoulder impingement complications

Shoulder impingement limits everyday movement in the shoulder. Repeated stress from the irritation can ultimately lead to a torn rotator cuff over a long period of time.

SYMPTOMS

Shoulder impingement symptoms

Shoulder impingement causes symptoms such as pain and weakness in the shoulder area. It can happen suddenly, or the pain can come on gradually. Lifting your affected arm above your head causes pain, and everyday activities as simple as dressing yourself can become difficult.

Shoulder Impingement diagnosis

Consult a physician to diagnose shoulder impingement. After taking a medical history, your physician will examine your range of motion, strength and determine the cause of your pain by observing how you can move your arm and shoulder.

In some cases, your diagnosis may include tests such as:

• X-rays
• MRI
• Ultrasound
• Arthrogram

TREATMENT

Shoulder Impingement Treatment

Shoulder impingement is treated by:

• Physiotherapy, including exercises for stretching and strengthening shoulder muscles.
• In some cases, injection of steroids into the affected area.

If caused by a sport, you will have to take some time off from that activity to fully recover. In some cases, surgery may be required to help repair the injury

 

 

 

 

Content supplemented by UPMC Sports Medicine