Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: The shoulder is the most dynamic joint with the widest range of motion compared to any other joint in the human body. It is constructed in a way to enable a wide range of motions and this unique construction also makes it vulnerable to a wide variety of injuries too – especially in sports.
Every sport demands shoulder function, some more than others. As a result shoulder injuries are the most common sports injuries treated by sports injuries specialists and orthopaedic doctors in Mumbai.
”Even among the shoulder injuries, Shoulder impingement syndrome is the most common treated shoulder injury at our orthopaedic clinic in Mumbai. It accounts for 60% of the shoulder injuries and complaints”, says orthopaedic surgeon and best shoulder specialist in Mumbai Dr Chirag Patel.
In this blog with his inputs, we are going to explain to you about the notorious shoulder impingement syndrome- its causes and treatment options. Yes, shoulder impingement syndrome can be cured know-how in this blog:
What is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?
Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition where the rotator cuff rubs or pinches against the outer top edge of the shoulder blade to cause pain and irritation. Let us understand the construction of the shoulder joint to better understand the syndrome.
The shoulder joint is made up of three bones – the scapula (shoulder blade), clavicle (collar bone) and humerus (upper arm bone). The top of the upper bone sits inside the socket of the shoulder blade to form the shoulder joint. A network of muscles holds the top of the upper arm bone in the socket to make a rotator cuff which sits between the top of the shoulder blade and the top of the upper arm bone. It glides freely within its space to enable shoulder movement.
However, in case of a shoulder injury, this rotator cuff can swell, and inflame the bursa or tendon. This ultimately narrows the space and leads to rubbing against the edge of the shoulder blade causing pain and irritation.
What Causes Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?
Shoulder impingement primarily is caused in sports that involve repetitive shoulder movement – swimming, basketball, volleyball, tennis or even activities like painting. The repetitive motion can over time cause inflammation of the tendons that surround the rotator cuff, and bursae that provide padding or even cause swelling of the rotator cuff – ultimately leading to pain and irritation. And this is when people search for “frozen shoulder specialist near me” on Google.
Symptoms of shoulder impingement syndrome:
Symptoms may not instantly show up in the case of shoulder impingement syndrome. They may take weeks to develop and when they do they look like the below:
- Pain when lifting or lowering the arm
- Tenderness or pain in front of the shoulder
- Pain when sleeping on the affected side.
- Pain when reaching for something behind.
- Shoulder weakness or stiffness.
Treatment for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome:
The goal of the treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome is to reduce pain and improve shoulder function. Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation is the common procedure adopted by a majority of orthopaedists to relieve shoulder impingement pain. Physiotherapy is another effective treatment that improves the function of the shoulder and relieves its pain gradually. Anti-inflammatory medications and refraining from physical strain are suggested for faster improvement.
Surgery is only considered when the above treatment proves to be ineffective. An orthopaedic surgeon may decompress the shoulder joint by removing a piece of shoulder blade by making tiny cuts. “Almost 70% of the people are completely treated by non-surgical treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome. Only a few cases will need surgery”, says shoulder specialist Mumbai Dr Chirag Patel. For more information on shoulder impingement syndrome treatment in Mumbai, you can contact him