Pain in the armpit while performing pushups can signal a number of injuries, including rotator cuff strain. The rotator cuff is a collection of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder joint. Bursitis, tendinitis, or impingement can also cause pain in the armpit during the pushup. Speak to your doctor or health-care practitioner if the pain in your armpit does not subside once you stop doing pushups.
Sprain
If other symptoms such as swelling, spasm, weakness or cramps accompany the pain in the armpit, they can indicate that a sprain has occurred to one of the ligaments in the shoulder joint, according to the American Osteopathic Association. Sprains result for various reasons: overuse of the shoulder joint, either from doing too many pushups without sufficient rest between workouts, an improper warm up, or doing too much shoulder work in the gym.
Bursitis
Within the shoulder joint capsule, bursa sacs diminish friction between the bones and connective tissue, protecting the joint. Pain in the armpit during pushups can signify bursitis, wherein these small sacs of fluid become swollen, sore and irritated.
Impingement
If performed excessively, pushups can contribute to the weakening of the rotator cuff muscles and cause shoulder impingement, a condition that occurs when the muscles and tendons of the shoulder become inflamed or in cases where one or more of the rotator cuff muscles tear. Symptoms beside pain in the armpit include inability to hold your arm out to one side and difficulty lifting objects.
Treatment
Treatment for shoulder and rotator cuff injuries depends largely on the severity of the injury. Typically shoulder injuries respond well to rest, ice and heat. Other treatments include corticosteroid medicine, physiotherapy and in extreme cases where the rotator cuff has been torn then surgery is usually recommended.
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