Shoulder Impingement syndrome is most common in patients in their 30’s and 40’s and is usually due to repetitive overhead activities such as throwing a baseball, hitting a volleyball, playing tennis, swimming, painting or hammering. Shoulder Impingement Syndrome causes pain over the outside and back part of the shoulder that increases with bringing the arm out to the side. This pain usually radiates down the outer part of the arm.
Treatment of impingement syndrome includes a course of physical therapy, rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medications. If this is not successful, a cortisone injection into the bursa, a fluid filled sac above the rotator cuff, may help. Non-operative treatment is usually successful. For those who have not found relief with conservative therapy, surgery may be considered.
- Pain over the outside of the shoulder
- Pain over the back part of the shoulder
- Pain that increases when extending or rotating the shoulder
- Weakness in the shoulder