aboutimpingement
Shoulder impingement is a term used to describe tissues that become irritated during elevation of the arm.
The main tissues include the bursa and the rotator cuff.
If these become irritated they often produce an inflammatory response.
Once inflamed they can produce pain at rest as well as during movement.
aboutimpingement
Shoulder Impingement is a very common shoulder problem. The term relates to the mechanical strain placed on tissues within the space that exists below the acromial bone in the shoulder.
This space is occupied by the rotator cuff tendon and a bursa (a small fluid sac). If the tendon or bursa become inflamed than their increased size can cause further irritation as they become compressed and irritated during shoulder elevation.
Sometimes, it is the movement of the shoulder and postural changes that first decreases the space and then causes irritation to the tissues within it.
In either situation the pain response can be extreme.
The first stage to to confirm diagnosis. Ultrasound scans liked to clinical examination are a good way to establish the real problem. Steroid injections can be considered if the inflammation is excessive.
The most important treatment is however the correction of the shoulder mechanics. Unless changes are made the tissues are likely to remain irritated.