Shoulder ligament Muscle Tear

What Is Shoulder Impingement?

When you lift your arm, the top of your shoulder blade may brush against or crush the soft tissues beneath it, resulting in shoulder impingement. The rotator cuff, a collection of muscles and tendons that covers your shoulder joint, becomes irritated or swollen as a result.

Shoulder impingement, if left untreated, can result in tendonitis or possibly a rotator cuff tear.

Symptoms

Discomfort in your shoulder and upper arm is the first sign of shoulder impingement. The pain worsens with time. It could become unpleasant to sleep on the shoulder. Your forearm may ultimately experience the ache.

Risk factors and the causes

The likelihood of suffering an injury to your shoulder is higher because it is one of your body's most mobile and unstable joints. Causes of shoulder impingement include:

• Overuse: repeated work that requires moving your arms over your head
• Sports activities with overhead actions: such as baseball and tennis
• Aging: as soft tissues break down and weaken over time

How Is Impingement Syndrome Diagnosed?

Your doctor will perform a physical exam and medical history to determine whether you have impingement syndrome. X-rays will be conducted to rule out arthritis and may reveal bone abnormalities that point to a muscle damage. It's possible to have bone spurs or modifications to the bone's typical shape.

Treatment Options

Treatment of shoulder impingement may include:

• Rest, ice packs, and anti-inflammatory medicine to reduce pain and swelling
• Stretching exercises and strengthening exercises
• Ultrasound treatments : to encourage blood flow to the injury

In order to rule out a rotator cuff tear, your doctor may order an ultrasound, or MRI if your symptoms persist or if you have noticeable weakness. Surgery (arthroscopic acromioplasty or arthroscopic subacromial decompression) is required to treat severe impingement. If the cuff is ruptured, surgery may also be required to repair it.

Medication, stretching exercises, and temporary avoidance of repetitive overhead activity are all effective treatments for the vast majority of persons with impingement syndrome until the issue resolves.