What is a shoulder impingement?
Shoulder impingement is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that cause shoulder pain. These include:
rotator cuff pain.
Sub-acromial bursitis
shoulder joint osteoarthritis
calcific tendinitis
To diagnose these conditions accurately requires an ultrasound scan. This is carried out as part of your initial appointment, you do not need an MRI or an x-ray. Shoulder impingement is treated with conservative management and a course of physiotherapy to reduce your pain, restore full movement and strengthen the appropriate muscles. If this fails to improve your pain, an ultrasound guided steroid injection and can provide fast, effective pain relief.
What are the symptoms of shoulder impingement?
The symptoms of shoulder impingement are:
Pain located at the shoulder and into your arm
Pain that is made worse when you lift your arm to the side i.e., a painful arc
Pain is worse at night, you are unable to lie on the painful shoulder and often the pain will keep you awake at night
This video should not serve as a replacement for professional health or medical advice.
Always consult a health professional before starting a new exercise or fitness programme.
Please stop and consult a physiotherapist if these exercises cause you pain.
