What is shoulder impingement or a pinched shoulder?
The shoulder joint is a type of ball and socket joint where the ball-like head of the humerus (upper arm bone) sits into a groove formed by the bones that create the shoulder. A cuff of four muscles and tendons surround this joint and is known as the rotator cuff. The rotator cuff supports and stabilizes the shoulder joint and helps to initiate movement, which allows for a large range of motion of the shoulder. Occasionally, the tendons that attach these muscles to the bones around the shoulder joint may become inflamed or pinched. This condition of frequent pinching of these tendons is known as shoulder impingement.
What causes shoulder impingement?
The most common cause of shoulder impingement is frequent use and overuse of the shoulder joint. The shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body and therefore is prone to overuse injuries such as shoulder impingement. This condition is common in swimmers, athletes who play volleyball, baseball pitchers, basketball, tennis, or others who frequently lift their arms above their head or perform frequent repetitive motions of the shoulder. While athletes are commonly affected by shoulder impingement, individuals whose job requires frequent and repetitive lifting overhead such as construction, painting, or other physical laborious jobs may also be affected by this condition. Dr. Joseph Lamplot, orthopedic shoulder specialist, treats patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, who are experiencing symptoms associated with shoulder impingement.
What are the symptoms of a pinched shoulder?
- Shoulder pain during everyday activities
- Worsening pain in the evening while sleeping
- Feelings of “grinding” in the shoulder
- Shoulder stiffness
- Shoulder and/or arm weakness
- Aching, or consistent dull pain in the upper arm and/or shoulder
How do I find out if I have shoulder impingement?
It is important to seek help if you are experiencing shoulder pain or think you may have shoulder impingement to prevent worsening or further damage to the shoulder. In order to diagnose shoulder impingement, Dr. Lamplot will first discuss a detailed medical and activity history regarding the shoulder and perform a physical exam of the painful shoulder. He may choose to order diagnostic tests such as an MRI or X-ray scan to further examine the shoulder joint and identify any existing damage or injury to the shoulder.
What is the treatment for shoulder impingement?
Non-Surgical:
- Rest and discontinued use of the shoulder for a period of time
- Pain relief with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications
- Corticosteroid (cortisone) injections to alleviate pain and swelling
- Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the shoulder joint and prevent future injuries.
Surgical:
Non-surgical methods are the preferred method to alleviate shoulder impingement. However, in cases where shoulder pain and other symptoms are not relieved, surgical intervention may be necessary. Possible surgical interventions include:
- Arthroscopic shoulder surgery: Dr. Lamplot may create a small incision into the shoulder where he can more closely evaluate the shoulder rotator cuff for impingement or other injuries using a small camera (arthroscope). If any irregular structures such as bone spurs are found, Dr. Lamplot will remove them during this procedure to return the smoothness to the bones of the shoulder joint.
- Subacromial Decompression: a procedure where compression of the tendons between the shoulder and upper arm is eliminated.
Shoulder Impingement Specialist
Do you participate in work or in sports that involve continual over-head movements? If so, you may be at risk of shoulder impingement. Shoulder impingement causes pain when lifting the arm, throwing or even when resting. Shoulder impingement specialist, Doctor Joseph D. Lamplot, provides diagnosis as well as surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Lake Zurich, Barrington, and the surrounding Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL who are experiencing the symptoms of shoulder impingement. Contact Dr. Lamplot’s team today!
