Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition when the tendons or bursa are intermittently trapped and compressed while elevating shoulders. Persistent shoulder impingement will lead to shoulder bursitis or structural injury to rotator cuff tendons. It causes painful shoulder motion in the early stages that turns to functional weakness with a full rotator cuff tear.
Repeated shoulder activities especially overhead activity can cause this condition. It can happen when putting on a coat, lifting, painting, swimming, tennis, and other overhead activities. Bone and joint abnormalities are other risk factors.
What Are The Symptoms Of Shoulder Impingement?
Initial symptoms include:
- Radiating pain from the shoulder front to the side of the arm’
- Minor pain even when resting the shoulder
- Sudden pain with reaching and lifting movements
- Athletes will experience pain when throwing throw ball
Symptoms as the condition progresses include:
- Loss of strength and motion in the shoulder
- Pain at night
- Difficulty in performing activities such as zippering or buttoning
Treatment
The primary treatment includes:
- Physical rest
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen
- Avoiding activities that involve lifting the arm above your head
- Physiotherapy
- Cold and hot compress
- Steroid injections
If the above treatment measures do not help, surgery is the option. It may include arthroscopic technique or subacromial decompression (open surgical technique).
