Shoulder Impingement Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Surgery

I will explain the causes, symptoms, treatment, and surgical methods for shoulder impingement syndrome. If you experience pain along with a 'pop' sound when raising your arm above your shoulder, such as when stretching or putting on a shirt, you may need to consider shoulder impingement syndrome. Please read through this post carefully and I hope you recover quickly.

Causes of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a type of shoulder injury that causes pain and limited range of motion due to damage to the shoulder joint. While there are various causes for this syndrome, it is primarily attributed to repetitive movements or improper posture.

Sports activities or excessive shoulder use during exercise can lead to this syndrome. It can also occur in individuals whose occupations or activities involve constantly raising or moving their arms forward. Furthermore, other causes such as shoulder injuries or localized inflammation can also contribute to its development.

Symptoms

Shoulder pain: You will experience persistent pain in the shoulder joint area. Some patients experience continuous pain even at night, leading to sleep disturbances.

Limited range of motion: Due to pain in the shoulder joint, it becomes difficult to move your shoulder. This is particularly common when attempting to raise your arm.

Stiffness: Along with shoulder joint pain, stiffness may occur. This can potentially develop into a more severe condition.

Abdominal pain: In some cases, shoulder pain can lead to abdominal pain. This is because the tissues surrounding the shoulder joint are interconnected.

Weakness: When it becomes difficult to move your arm due to damage to the shoulder joint, you may experience weakness.

Shoulder impingement syndrome can manifest with mild to moderate symptoms, and if the condition worsens, surgery may be necessary. Therefore, if you experience any symptoms such as shoulder pain or limited range of motion, it's essential to seek appropriate treatment.

Treatment

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a condition that involves pain, abnormal sensations, and impaired movement in the shoulder joint due to damage to ligaments, muscles, and tendons around the joint. There are various treatment methods available.

Stabilization exercises: Exercises are necessary to strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve stability. This can be achieved by performing general strength and stability exercises under the guidance of a professional physical therapist.

Ice therapy: Applying an ice pack to the muscles helps reduce pain and inflammation. Apply ice for 15 minutes, rest for 30 minutes, and repeat the ice application for another 15 minutes.

Anti-inflammatory drugs: Anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation associated with shoulder impingement syndrome. Please use these as prescribed by your doctor.

Steroid injections: Steroid injections can be used to relieve severe pain. Please use these as prescribed by your doctor.

Surgery: Surgery is typically the last resort. If other treatment methods prove ineffective, surgery may be considered. Surgery requires diagnosis and treatment by a specialized orthopedic surgeon.

Shoulder impingement syndrome can require different treatment methods depending on individual symptoms and conditions. It's crucial to receive appropriate treatment based on a doctor's diagnosis and prescription.

Surgery

The surgical methods for shoulder impingement syndrome are as follows:

Arthroscopic Surgery

This involves using small cameras and instruments inside the joint to perform minor procedures. A camera is inserted along with a disinfectant to minimize unnecessary manipulation, and the surgery is performed through a small incision. Depending on the symptoms, surgeries such as repairing damaged areas of the rotator cuff or removing damaged adjacent tissues can be performed.

Open Surgery

If arthroscopic surgery does not provide sufficient therapeutic effects, open surgery is performed through a large incision. While this results in a larger scar and requires a longer recovery period, it offers better therapeutic outcomes for extensive damage.

Rotator Cuff Repair

If the rotator cuff is partially or completely torn, surgery is performed to repair the torn area. This involves making an incision to repair and reattach the rotator cuff.

The surgical method varies depending on individual symptoms, and the recovery period differs according to the post-surgical treatment plan. It's crucial to engage in sufficient rehabilitation exercises after surgery to facilitate a speedy recovery.