Impingement syndrome - How to get a healthy shoulder.
- Jan 3
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Many sufferers experience problems with impingement syndrome.
Impingement syndrome is a clinical picture in which shoulder pain is caused by a tightness between the upper arm head (humeral head) and the shoulder roof (acromion = bony projection of the shoulder blade).
In this article you will learn:
This leads to impingement syndrome.
How to prevent impingement syndrome.
In this case, surgery is advisable for impingement syndrome.
This leads to impingement syndrome.
In addition to posture-related incorrect positioning and disturbed movement of the humeral head, bony growth processes can be the cause of impingement syndrome.
The tendons of the rotator cuff (supraspinatus tendon, ed.) and bursae, which are crucial for the mobility of the shoulder, run through the space between the humerus and the shoulder roof.
Particularly when lifting the arm to the side, the rotator cuff or the bursa between the humeral head and the acromion can become painfully trapped. In addition to posture-related incorrect positioning and impaired movement of the humeral head, bony growth processes can be the cause of impingement syndrome.
The disease progresses gradually and also occurs in physically active people who, for example, work overhead. In some cases, painful calcium deposits in the tendons of the rotator cuff ( calcific tendinitis ) can accompany impingement syndrome of the shoulder. In others, only the bursa below the shoulder roof becomes inflamed.
Consequences can include, for example, degenerative (ie wear-related) damage to the rotator cuff, which centers the humeral head in the correct place in the joint socket.
If these muscles are weakened or even torn due to an accident or wear and tear, the humeral head can rise up under the bony shoulder roof.
Over the course of a person's life, bony spurs and calcifications can form at the ligament attachments below the shoulder roof or below the acromioclavicular joint, which then restrict the sliding of the tendons. In addition, impingement syndrome can occur as a concomitant symptom of other shoulder diseases (e.g. instability ) and therefore requires precise clarification.
How to prevent impingement syndrome.
A preventative measure is to be aware of your posture and thus the position of your shoulders every day and to repeatedly pull your shoulder blades backwards and downwards.
In many cases, unexplained shoulder problems are misinterpreted as impingement syndrome, which sometimes delays the identification of the actual cause. As a result, adequate treatment is either not provided or is delayed.
Posture-related malpositions and disturbed movement sequences of the humeral head when the arm is abducted can often be observed.
To prevent impingement syndrome, it helps to be aware of the position and movement of the shoulder every day and to pull the shoulder blades back and down.
If posture problems have crept in over the years, it can sometimes be difficult to visualize correct posture, and it is also exhausting to pay attention to "good posture". In these cases, good physiotherapy with centering exercises or, for example, Pilates can easily alleviate the symptoms.
However, it is more problematic if the entrapment syndrome has already caused structural damage to the tendons; in this case, conservative therapy is usually not sufficient.
Our goal is to make the correct diagnosis early on through a thorough examination of the shoulder and to treat the underlying problem right from the start.
In this case, surgery is advisable for impingement syndrome.
If conservative therapy is unsuccessful, therapeutic arthroscopy of the shoulder joint is a gentle procedure with a high chance of success.
Once the causes of impingement syndrome have been clarified and the correct diagnosis has been made, conservative therapy with centering exercises usually leads to relief or complete disappearance of symptoms within a few months.
Through targeted physiotherapy (= physical therapy) and needs-adapted pain therapy, training of the muscles surrounding the joint can perfectly center the humeral head in the joint again and create sufficient “space” under the shoulder roof.
If conservative therapy is unsuccessful, an arthroscopy of the shoulder joint is a gentle procedure with a high chance of success. This can be useful in cases of impingement syndrome caused by an injury, a wide acromion type or in cases of stubborn disease.
Simply ask us whether conservative therapy is suitable in your case and which measures increase the chances of success.
Conclusion:
In addition to posture-related incorrect positioning and disturbed movement of the humeral head, bony growth processes can be the cause of impingement syndrome.
The disease often progresses gradually and can occur in physically active people, for example in overhead work.
A preventative measure is to be aware of your posture and thus the position of your shoulders every day and to pull your shoulder blades back and down.
If conservative therapy is unsuccessful, therapeutic arthroscopy of the shoulder joint is a gentle procedure with a high chance of success.
Do you have any questions? Then make anappointment with our shoulder specialist :
Specialist in orthopedics and trauma surgery,
sports medicine
