Your shoulders get a workout each day. Everything from opening a door to brushing your teeth to lifting weights at the gym requires shoulder participation. And that makes your shoulders vulnerable to conditions like joint impingement.
Often hailed as one of the best shoulder surgeons in the greater Phoenix, Arizona, area, Dr. Sumit Dewanjee is very familiar with painful conditions affecting shoulder mobility. He leads our team at FXRX, a practice dedicated to patient-centered care that aims to keep you moving pain-free.
Read more from our FXRX team regarding shoulder joint impingement syndrome, the type of pain it causes, and what to expect during treatment.
Your shoulder has several major components, including the upper arm bone (humerus), collarbone (clavicle), and shoulder blade (scapula).
Rotator cuff tendons attach shoulder and biceps muscles to the bones and help hold the ball-and-socket portion of the shoulder (glenohumeral joint) in place.
There’s also a small fluid-filled sac (subacromial bursa) sandwiched between the rotator cuff tendons and the bone at the top of the shoulder blade (acromion). The bursa cushions the tendons and allows them to glide smoothly when you move your shoulder.
The shoulder has a greater range of motion than other joints, thanks in part to these structures working together when you move the arm. But this mobility also makes the joint vulnerable to injury.
Shoulder joint impingement is a common condition that develops when the rotator cuff tendons or bursa become pinched, compressed, or irritated during shoulder movements.
Several factors contribute to shoulder impingement, including:
The shape and structure of the top portion of the shoulder blade (acromion) can predispose individuals to impingement.
Activities requiring overhead motions (e.g., swimming, painting, tennis, volleyball) can strain the shoulder. Young athletes with extensive training schedules are particularly prone to shoulder impingement.
Rounded shoulders or a forward head posture can narrow the subacromial space.
Weakness or tightness in muscles around the shoulder can alter joint mechanics.
The symptoms are typically mild initially but tend to worsen without diagnosis and treatment of shoulder impingement.
You may experience:
These symptoms often progress without medical attention and can eventually interfere with even simple daily tasks like buckling a seatbelt or washing your hair.
Your experience at FXRX starts with a detailed review of your medical history and symptoms and a physical exam.
Dr. Dewanjee assesses your range of motion, strength, and tenderness around the shoulder. He may also recommend advanced imaging studies for a better look at the joint and tendons.
Treatment for joint impingement focuses on reducing pain and inflammation, improving shoulder mechanics, and addressing contributing factors, such as posture and muscle imbalances.
Options include:
When conservative treatments fail, Dr. Dewanjee may recommend minimally invasive arthroscopy to correct the issues causing your shoulder pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Shoulder joint impingement can significantly affect daily life, but early diagnosis and treatment can lead to successful outcomes.
Schedule a visit at FXRX today for patient-centered shoulder treatment to restore pain-free mobility. Call our office in Tempe or Phoenix, Arizona, or request an appointment online.
