Shoulder Impingement

If lifting your arm causes a sharp or aching pain in your shoulder, you could have shoulder impingement, a problem that occurs when bone rubs against tendons. At the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery, Mark Ciaglia, DO, William J. Jordan, MD, and Hemali Patel, DPM, offer comprehensive care to reduce your pain and restore optimal shoulder function. To learn more, call The Woodlands or Willis, Texas, office or book an appointment online today.

What is shoulder impingement?

Shoulder impingement, also called rotator cuff tendonitis, occurs when a bone rubs against or pinches a rotator cuff tendon or bursa. The bursa is a small sac that cushions the space between the bone and tendons.

Impingement can occur in different areas because the shoulder joint includes three bones and four joints that are surrounded by the rotator cuff.

However, the problem most often develops in the space between the ball (at the top of the arm) and the large bone (acromion) that extends from the shoulder blade and forms the top of the shoulder.

What causes shoulder impingement?

Impingement may be caused by:

• An acromion that’s curved instead of flat
• Torn rotator cuff
• Thickened rotator cuff tendons
• Overuse injuries
• Poor posture
• Unusual movement in the shoulder blade
• Narrowed space between the bone and tendons due to overhead movement, disease, or injury

A few examples of overhead activities that are most likely to cause shoulder impingement include swimming, baseball, tennis, volleyball, and occupations such as construction work or painting.

What symptoms does shoulder impingement cause?

Inflammation develops as the bone rubs against the soft tissues, causing tendonitis or bursitis. Pain in the front of your shoulder is the top symptom, but you may experience different types of pain, such as:

• Tenderness when touching your shoulder
• Pain that radiates from the front shoulder to the arm
• Pain that’s worse at night
• Pain while lying on the injured side
• Pain that’s worse when you put your arm above your head, lift your arm, reach for something, or reach behind your back

You could also have stiffness, swelling, limited shoulder and arm movement, or cracking and popping sounds when moving your shoulder.

How is shoulder impingement treated?

The goal of your treatment is to relieve symptoms and give the shoulder time to heal. Your treatment plan may include:

• Resting the shoulder
• Physical therapy
• Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Oral corticosteroids or injections (to reduce inflammation)

If your shoulder impingement doesn’t improve with these treatments, your healthcare provider may recommend arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

During surgery, your Woodlands Center for Special Surgery specialist will decompress the tissues by making more space for the rotator cuff. This might involve removing parts of the bursa, acromion, or bone spurs.

Don’t wait to get help for a painful shoulder. Call the nearest Woodlands Center for Special Surgery office or connect online to schedule an appointment today.