Shoulder Impingement

 

Mechanism/Injury:              

General wear and tear of the shoulder tendons

Above shoulder height and repetitive activities

Genetics, Sporting Activities, Wok related, Age Related Change

Degeneration and thinning of the tendons

Commonly Supraspinatus muscle- lifts the arm from the side

 

Symptoms:                           

Pain down into upper arm on raising arm forwards or sideways

Pain on rotation of arm- reaching for seat belt, arm in to sleeve

Pain on lying on arm in bed, disturbed sleep

 

Investigations:                     

X-Ray, Ultrasound scan, MRI scan

 

Treatment options:             

Pain killers

Physiotherapy

Injections (steroid/cortisone)

Arthroscopic/Key hole surgery (see Subacromial Decompression)

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