Shoulder impingement is a common injury that puts pressure on the nerves in your shoulder joint. Most often it can be treated with nonsurgical measures such as physical therapy, which aims to reduce pain and regain full function of the joint, and to allow you to return to normal activity.
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Impingement occurs when you raise your arm to shoulder height. This causes the space between your bones and muscles to narrow. Continuous repetition of this motion can cause the bone to rub against your muscles and soft tissue, causing nerve damage, irritation and pain. It also can lead to other conditions such as tendinitis and bursitis. Impingement occurs most often with athletes in sports such as baseball and swimming. If you are suffering from shoulder impingement, you might notice pain that is present both with activity and at rest, pain with lifting and reaching movements, and loss of strength and motion in your shoulder.
Physical Therapy
The goal of physical therapy is to reduce pain and restore function in your shoulder. The initial stage of your therapy will focus on regaining full range of motion in the joint. This is done through a series of stretching exercises that also help promote circulation and prevent stiffness. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, stretching can be very effective in relieving shoulder pain. Once the pain has begun to subside, you can begin strengthening exercises that will help build your rotator cuff, the group of muscles in your shoulder.
Other Treatment
When physical therapy does not relieve nerve impingement in your shoulder, more intense treatment might be needed. This can include a steroid injection, which acts as a local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medicine. If the pain persists, you might need surgery. The goal of surgery is to provide more room for movement in your shoulder to relieve the pressure on your nerves. This is done by removing small parts of bone and soft tissue in your shoulder.
Considerations
You can take pain medication during your physical therapy to reduce pain. You also should refrain from any activities that cause pain while your shoulder heals. Consult with your doctor about the best treatment. Options vary depending on age, activity level and general health.
Prognosis
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, most patients recover fully from shoulder impingement, with full motion and no pain in the joint. However, you might need to combine physical therapy with pain medication and steroid injections. It can take several months for your shoulder to fully heal.
