| What is shoulder impingement syndrome? | | | | eventually lead to a major tear. Once this happens |
| Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common name | | | | your ability to raise your arm or use it normally will be |
| given for a condition that causes shoulder joint pain | | | | markedly impaired. |
| and most often upper arm pain. This problem is | | | | How is this syndrome diagnosed? |
| typically associated with rotator cuff pathology and/or | | | | A qualified physician or physical therapist can make |
| bursitis of the shoulder. This syndrome is often a sign | | | | the diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome. This |
| that there is an underlying problem with one of those | | | | starts with a thorough exam and medical history. |
| structures but could be related to other things as well. | | | | Often times the MD will order x-rays to rule out a |
| This article will discuss what you need to know about | | | | more serious problem. There are a series of tests |
| this painful condition. | | | | including range of motion, muscle testing and special |
| The shoulder joint is a complex structure consisting of | | | | testing that are performed to identify this problem. The |
| several muscles, bones, ligaments and a bursal sac. All | | | | physician may also attempt and injection into the joint |
| of these structures act together to allow the joint the | | | | to see if it relieves the pain. If so then the diagnosis is |
| great flexibility and motion that it has. Because of its | | | | confirmed. |
| intricate design it is prone to injury. The more common | | | | What treatments are available for this problem? |
| injuries will occur to the soft tissue structures (the | | | | Most treatment will focus on relieving your pain but you |
| muscles and bursa). When these structures are injured | | | | must understand that there is an underlying cause as |
| they will become inflamed and this starts a painful | | | | to why this happened. This might include muscle |
| process. | | | | weakness in the shoulder or shoulder blade, tightness in |
| How does it occur? | | | | certain structures or an unstable shoulder. A qualified |
| Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when one or | | | | physician or physical therapist can determine this for |
| more of the soft tissue structures becomes inflamed | | | | you. |
| when injured. This inflammation causes a swelling in the | | | | Shoulder joint pain is treated with anti-inflammatory |
| area and reduces the space that these structures | | | | medication. This must be taken for several weeks (up |
| have to move around. The rotator cuff muscles and | | | | to 8) to notice a positive effect. You have to let your |
| the bursal sac are very close to a piece of bone that | | | | MD know if the meds aren't helping within 2 weeks or |
| is part of the shoulder blade. They actually sit right | | | | so. If they aren't he may prescribe a different form of |
| beneath it. As they swell the space between them | | | | anti-inflammatory. Persistent pain that is not relieved |
| and this bone becomes less and less. As you try to | | | | with meds or structured exercises may lead to a |
| raise your arm overhead these swollen structures will | | | | cortisone injection. This may or may not relieve the |
| get pinched (or impinged) under this bone and shoulder | | | | pain but it does not treat the underlying cause of the |
| joint pain. This is how the impingement syndrome | | | | problem. |
| starts. | | | | A core component to treating shoulder impingement |
| As the swelling worsens other motions will become | | | | syndrome is to perform a structured exercise program |
| painful as well such as reaching behind your back, | | | | consisting of specific exercises designed to restore |
| pulling up your pants, or putting on a shirt. Weakness | | | | strength, improve flexibility and to restore the normal |
| may develop over time as well. These are all common | | | | mechanics of the shoulder. It is not wise to perform |
| symptoms caused by this condition. If the pain and | | | | random exercises given to you by a friend or |
| inflammation persists for a long period of time it can | | | | coworker. The exercise program you perform must |
| cause minor tears in the muscles which may | | | | be specifically tailored for this condition. |