Shoulder Impingement

To help with shoulder impingement, it's important to rest your shoulder and avoid activities that may have caused the discomfort, like swimming. Your healthcare provider will let you know how long to take a break.

Applying ice to your shoulder can help reduce pain and swelling. Wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect your skin and follow your provider's advice on how often and for how long to use it.

You may also need to adjust how you move or perform certain tasks. If you're an athlete, changing your posture or technique during training or competition can help prevent further strain on your shoulder.

Physical therapy can help strengthen the muscles in your rotator cuff and surrounding your shoulder blade. It can also address muscle imbalances that may contribute to overuse injuries. A physical therapist will work with you in one-on-one sessions and may give you exercises to perform at home.

Medications used to treat shoulder impingement typically focus on reducing inflammation and swelling.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium all work to reduce inflammation in muscles and joints and help relieve discomfort.
• Corticosteroid injections: These medications are injected directly into the shoulder joint to reduce swelling and pain. You typically receive these injections at your doctor’s office.

Most shoulder impingement cases can be treated without surgery, but sometimes surgery is needed if pain continues or movement doesn't improve with other treatments. Surgical options focus on creating more space in the shoulder to relieve pressure and improve function.

These procedures are usually done using arthroscopic surgery, which involves small incisions and specialized tools. This minimally invasive approach often leads to quicker recovery and less discomfort than traditional open surgery. Your doctor will help you decide the best option based on your symptoms and overall health. Surgical options may include:

• Subacromial decompression and acromioplasty: This procedure removes bone tissue from the top of the shoulder blade (acromion) to create more room for tendons and soft tissues. It's often recommended for people with curved or hooked acromions or bone spurs causing irritation.
• Bursectomy: This procedure involves removing an inflamed bursa (a fluid-filled sac that helps with movement) and any scar tissue.
• Rotator cuff repair: If a torn rotator cuff is part of the problem, surgery can reattach the torn tendons to the bone in your upper arm (humerus).