Shoulder pain is very common, especially when lifting your arm or reaching overhead. One of the most frequent causes of shoulder pain is shoulder impingement syndrome. This condition can affect people of all ages and activity levels, from athletes to office workers.
In this blog, we’ll explain what shoulder impingement is, what causes it, common symptoms, and the best treatment options to help you feel better.
What Is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?
Shoulder impingement syndrome happens when the soft tissues in your shoulder get squeezed in a tight space. The tendons that help lift and move your arm can rub or pinch as your arm moves. Over time, this repeated rubbing can cause swelling, pain, and weakness in the shoulder, especially when lifting your arm or reaching overhead.
Symptoms of shoulder impingement often start slowly and may worsen over time. Many patients feel pain in the front or side of the shoulder, especially when lifting their arm overhead or reaching behind the back. The shoulder may feel weak, stiff, or difficult to move through its full range of motion. Pain is often worse at night and can be uncomfortable when lying on the affected side. If shoulder impingement is not treated, it can lead to more serious problems, including rotator cuff tears.
Common Causes of Shoulder Impingement
Several factors can lead to shoulder impingement, including:
- Repetitive overhead movements (throwing, swimming, painting)
- Poor posture, such as rounded shoulders
- Muscle weakness or imbalance
- Shoulder injuries or overuse
- Aging and natural wear and tear
Athletes and people with jobs that require frequent lifting are at higher risk.
How Is Shoulder Impingement Diagnosed?
Your orthopedic specialist will start with a physical exam and a conversation about your symptoms and daily activities. They may check your range of motion and strength. Often, imaging is required to confirm a diagnosis, this can include:
- X-rays to look for bone spurs
- MRI to evaluate the rotator cuff and soft tissues
Treatment Options
Most patients improve with non-surgical treatment. This can include things like, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, steroid injections, or just simply rest and activity modification.
Many patients feel better within a few weeks with proper care.
Surgery is only considered if symptoms do not improve after time with conservative treatment methods. Shoulder impingement surgery is usually done arthroscopically (a minimally invasive technique) and may involve removing bone spurs or inflamed tissue.
Your orthopedic surgeon will discuss whether surgery is right for you.
Can Shoulder Impingement Be Prevented?
You can reduce your risk by:
- Maintaining good posture
- Strengthening shoulder and upper back muscles
- Stretching regularly
- Avoiding repetitive overhead strain
- Using proper technique during sports or exercise
Early treatment helps prevent long-term damage. You should consider seeing an orthopedic specialist if your shoulder pain lasts more than a few weeks, the pain limits your activities, and if you experience weakness of loss of motion.
Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common and treatable cause of shoulder pain. With early care, most patients recover without surgery and return to normal activities.