Shoulder Impingement

The Problem

Shoulder impingement is a condition in which structures in the shoulder are compressed between your upper arm bone (humerus) and a part of your shoulder blade (acromion) The Shoulder requires stabilization from a variety of muscles to help the shoulder blade maintain optimal movement.   If there are tight structures from something as simple as sitting in bad posture these muscles (example would be pectoralis minor) it can affect how the shoulder blade moves and create an impingement. Rotator cuff muscles are also important to stop the humeral head from elevating into the acromion.   Therefore injury, dysfunction or tightness can lead to poor mechanics and impingement

Common Sports presentations It is common in a lot of repetitive overhead arm sports such as baseball, swimming, cricket.  It is also a common issue for those in the gym who do a lot of overhead exercise such as military press, snatches, clean and press and bench press

Signs you’re getting shoulder impingement Pain with overhead movements such as the gym exercises mentioned above Pain when sleeping on the affected side, often worse at night in general.

Hints to help you self manage early on Rest from the aggravating activities, and avoid repetitive shoulder movements especially overhead

Management Options You can start with conservative management which would include resting from aggravating factors and physiotherapy to restore range of motion and identify the dysfunctional muscles.  A strength program to work on these weak muscles should be followed. There is some evidence for corticosteroid injection into the space where the impingement occurs (subacromial space) In severe cases which do not respond to the above options consulting a orthopaedic surgeon may be necessary and surgical decompression and acromioplasty may be advised.

If you are suffering from shoulder impingement why not contact the team at Sydney Physio Solutions to have it checked out.