Shoulder Impingement Condition

What is Shoulder Impingement?

Shoulder impingement is a painful should condition that involves inflammation in the shoulder that causes muscles, tendons, or bones to be pushed against the bursa – tiny fluid-filled sacs that help to reduce friction during shoulder movement. This type of shoulder pain can be brought on by repetitious overhead arm and shoulder motions, overuse, and injury or bone abnormalities. It is perhaps most commonly seen in patients who engage in repetitive sports like swimming, lifting, and tennis, but can affect anyone who overuses their rotator cuffs.

What Causes this Condition?

The most common cause of impingement is simple overuse of the muscles and tendons in the shoulder, leading to inflammation and swelling that increases friction around the upper shoulder bone. Other causes can include:

• Shoulder injuries, such as dislocation of the shoulder
• Genetic abnormalities like misshapen shoulder blades
• Certain movements associated with occupations. For example, construction work, freight movement, and even painting can involve the type of repetitive overhead motions that can lead to this condition.
• Sporting activities like baseball, swimming, and tennis.
• Slips, falls, or other accidents that damage the tendons or bones in the shoulder.

In some instances, doctors are unable to determine the exact cause of an impingement. Regardless, medical treatment should be sought in a timely manner, as a failure to address the problem can cause it to worsen over time and may result in thinner or torn rotator cuff tendons.

What Are the Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement?

The symptom for an impinged shoulder can sometimes be mistaken for other shoulder pain conditions, so it is vital to obtain an accurate diagnosis. The most common symptoms can include:

• Extreme difficulty extending your arm and shoulder overhead to reach your upper back
• General weakness in the shoulder muscles and tendons
• Pain that increases with overhead movements
• Dull, aching pain in the arm that doesn’t subside
• Worsening pain at night that may impact your ability to sleep
• Painful sensations extending from the front of the shoulder down to the side of your arm

Because these types of shoulder conditions can become progressively worse, accurate diagnosis and treatment is vital to avoiding further damage. Fortunately, osteopathic care can provide the safe, non-invasive treatment you need to prevent additional injury and facilitate a full recovery.

How We Can Help

Treatment for this type of shoulder pain will vary depending on the extent of its severity. A proper examination and diagnosis can help to determine the appropriate treatment strategy. Leonid Tafler, D.O. can utilize a variety of osteopathic techniques to provide the care you need, including manual manipulation, recommendations for physical therapy, and various lifestyle changes that can help to minimize pain and prevent recurring impingement.