Impingement Q & A
What is shoulder impingement?
Shoulder impingement is closely related to other shoulder conditions, including rotator cuff tendinitis and bursitis. In fact, these conditions may occur at the same time.
The rotator cuff holds your upper arm bone (humerus) in your shoulder socket. The bursa is a lubricating sac located in-between the rotator cuff and the bone at the top of your shoulder (acromion.)
When you have shoulder impingement, the rotator cuff rubs against or catches on the acromion. This causes shoulder pain and weakness, especially when you lift your arm overhead or backward.
What causes shoulder impingement?
Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff pain are common among young athletes and middle-aged adults. You may be particularly susceptible to shoulder impingement if you participate in activities that require overhead arm motions such as:
-
Swimming
-
Baseball
-
Tennis
-
Painting
-
Construction
-
Weight lifting
Having a previous shoulder injury, such as a dislocation, may also increase your risk of developing impingement syndrome.
How is shoulder impingement diagnosed?
First, your physician at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history. Then, they examine your shoulder and move it in different directions to check your range of motion.
They may take imaging tests, like an X-ray or MRI, to rule out other conditions, such as arthritis. They may also administer an anesthetic injection into the space beneath your acromion to determine if this relieves your pain.
Once they diagnose your condition, the team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics develops an individualized treatment plan to relieve pain and restore function to your shoulder.
How is shoulder impingement treated?
Most cases of shoulder impingement improve with non-surgical treatment. The team at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics creates a treatment plan tailored to your specific activity level. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment for shoulder impingement may include:
If your shoulder pain and symptoms persist despite treatment, you may need surgery. The expert surgeons at Garden State Pain & Orthopedics perform minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery whenever possible. However, complex cases may require open surgery.
To find relief from shoulder impingement syndrome, call Garden State Pain & Orthopedics or book an appointment online today.