Impingement syndrome is a condition that occurs when your shoulder joint is not able to move as freely as it should. The condition occurs when the shoulder blade rubs against the rotator cuff, causing the rotator cuff to become irritated and inflamed.
What Causes Impingement Syndrome
There are a few things that can contribute to the condition.
One is the type of activity that you do. For example, if you regularly internal rotate your shoulder and adducted basically if you are always using a trackpad for example on your laptop you may be putting yourself at risk for impingement syndrome. Over time, this repetitive stress can lead to the development of shoulder pain and stiffness.
Another factor is if you have degenerative changes like bone spurs of either the glenohumeral joint or the acromioclavicular joint which creates much smaller articulation and higher wear and tear of the rotator cuff tendons.
Finally, if you have a history of shoulder injuries, it may cause impingement syndrome. If you have had any shoulder injury in the past, you must be aware of the potential for developing this condition.
Is the Condition Serious?
The condition can be quite painful and can limit your shoulder’s range of motion. The condition can lead to inflammation and damage to the tendons and muscles in the shoulder area. If left untreated, impingement syndrome can permanently damage the shoulder joint. You may have to consider surgery to correct the problem in severe cases.
Does the Condition Ever Go Away?
Some patients at our clinic experience complete relief from symptoms after treatment and don’t have the condition reoccur, while others may have occasional flare-ups. For some people, the condition may become chronic and require lifelong management.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from Impingement Syndrome?
The duration of impingement syndrome recovery varies depending on the severity of the condition. For mild cases, our clinic offers conservative treatments such as physical therapy, and icing may be all that is necessary to improve symptoms. In more severe cases, surgery may be your only option. The recovery period following surgery is typically six to eight weeks. However, it may take longer for the full range of motion to be restored. If this is the case for you, we can create a custom injury recovery plan to get you back to feeling and performing your best.
Contact our clinic to help with your shoulder pain!
