Are you a painter, a weightlifter, a swimmer, a tennis player, a quarterback, or a baseball player? Whatever activities you pursue, are you having difficulty elevating your arms above your head? If you said yes, then you may have a shoulder impingement. For more information about shoulder impingement, please read the information below.
Causes
● Shoulder impingement occurs when the arm is elevated above the head, and the space between the acromion and rotator cuff narrows, causing the acromion to rub against the tendons and the bursa. This condition causes intense pain.
Symptoms
The symptoms of shoulder impingement include:
● Severe pain may radiate from the shoulder and down the arm, stopping at the elbow.
● Swelling may occur in the front portion of the shoulder.
● The shoulder may be very tender to the touch.
● The patient may experience:
o Decreased shoulder/arm mobility.
o Problems elevating the affected arm to eat.
o Feelings of heaviness, weakness, stiffness in the affected arm.
o Pain while lowering the arm.
o Increased pain at bedtime, causing sleeping difficulty on the affected side.
Diagnosis
● If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, please contact your primary care physician for a shoulder X-ray to assess the bone structure.
● MRI/CT can assess soft tissue, tendons, fluid buildup (bursitis), and tears.
Treatment
● The best treatment plan for shoulder impingement is to reduce the pain and restore the affected shoulder function.
● Shoulder Impingement is treatable with rest, ice packs and heating pads for 20 minutes four times per day interchangeably, and physical therapy.
● NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, Naproxen, ibuprofen, etc.) are effective for managing the pain and swelling.
● Steroid shoulder injections may be effective.
● Depending on the results and the level of your pain, a referral to an orthopedic surgeon may be necessary.
References
Alila Medical Media. (2019). Shoulder bursa, bursitis. [Illustration]. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/shoulder-bursa-bursitis-122298685?src=LgujqAxYpFEk2V8pW5kcBw-1-8
Alila Medical Media. (2020). Rotator Cuff Anatomy, Labeled. [Illustration]. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-illustration/rotator-cuff-anatomy-labeled-147943874
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. (2019). Shoulder Pain and Common Shoulder Problems. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/shoulder-pain-and-common-shoulder-problems/
NIH. (2019). Rotator Cuff Problems. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000438.htm
Udaix. (2020). Shoulder Joint of the Human Body. [Illustration]. https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/shoulder-joint-human-body-anatomy-infographic-699043855