What it is
Shoulder impingement is one of the most common causes of chronic shoulder pain. It is most common in people in their 40’s-60’s. While there can be many factors that contribute to shoulder impingement, eventually it is inflammation in the bursa and surrounding tissues that leads to the pain and dysfunction. Shoulder impingement is known by many other names, such as shoulder bursitis or rotator cuff tendinitis, which can lead to some confusion. The most common cause of shoulder impingement is degeneration of the rotator cuff tendons, which leads to weakness of the rotator cuff. This degeneration is thought to be an age-related problem, but it can certainly be accelerated with shoulder overuse. The rotator cuff tendons are very important for stabilizing the shoulder joint, and when they become weak, shoulder impingement can occur.
Symptoms
Shoulder impingement will classically cause pain in the front and sides of the shoulder, with pain that usually radiates down the outside of the arm. It can sometimes radiate all the way down to the elbow. Patients typically report increased pain when raising their arm over their head or when reaching out and lifting away from their body. Pain when lying down at night is also a very common complaint. Occasionally, people can have associated symptoms such as stiffness, catching, clicking, and/or weakness. The pain from shoulder impingement has typically been present for several months before patients see an orthopedic surgeon because many patients feel like it was something that “would just go away.”
Non-Surgical Treatment
Shoulder impingement is typically treated with conservative, non-surgical measures initially. Approximately 60% of people will improve with a combination of oral anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections (anti-inflammatory medicine), physical therapy to stretch and strengthen the shoulder, and avoidance of aggravating factors such as overhead use. For those who do not improve with 3-4 months of non-surgical management, surgery may be necessary.
Surgical Management
Surgery for shoulder impingement is typically done with arthroscopic techniques. This means the surgeon utilizes small incisions and enters the joint with a camera and specialized instruments. The operation includes the removal of the inflamed bursa and any bone spurs that may be contributing to the impingement. Sometimes the surgeon will also need to address problems in the bicep tendon, the rotator cuff tendons, or the joint where your collarbone meets your shoulder. An MRI will usually be done prior to surgery in order to better understand exactly what needs to be addressed with surgery. It also gives the surgeon and patient a better understanding of the severity of the disease. The recovery from a surgery for impingement syndrome varies for each patient but typically includes 3-6 months of recovery and rehabilitation to reach full use and function.
If these symptoms sound familiar to you, give us a call and set up an evaluation in the clinic with our office at 715-907-0900.