Shoulder impingement
A catching or pinching pain when you raise your arm. Impingement is very common and usually settles with physiotherapy, injections or a simple keyhole procedure.
Impingement happens when the rotator cuff tendons and the small fluid-filled cushion above them (the bursa) become pinched under the tip of the shoulder blade as you lift your arm. It's one of the most common causes of shoulder pain.
What are the symptoms?
- A sharp or catching pain when you raise your arm, especially to shoulder height
- Pain reaching overhead, or behind your back
- Aching at night and difficulty lying on the shoulder
- Pain with activities like reaching into a cupboard or putting on a coat
What causes it?
Impingement often develops with repeated overhead activity, a change in the shape of the bone, or inflammation of the tendons and bursa. It can occur alongside rotator cuff wear.
How is it diagnosed?
Mr Corner will examine your shoulder with specific movement tests. An ultrasound or MRI scan may be arranged to look at the tendons and rule out a tear.
Treatment options
Without surgery
Most cases improve with physiotherapy to correct the movement pattern and strengthen the cuff, anti-inflammatory medication, and often a steroid injection to calm the inflammation and allow rehabilitation.
Keyhole surgery
If symptoms persist despite these measures, a keyhole procedure (arthroscopic subacromial decompression) creates more space for the tendons. It's a day-case operation with a relatively quick recovery.
What to expect during recovery
With non-surgical treatment, many people improve over several weeks. After keyhole surgery, physiotherapy begins early and comfort improves steadily — see our rehabilitation protocols for the post-operative guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is impingement the same as a rotator cuff tear?
They're related but not the same. Impingement is pinching and inflammation of the tendons and bursa; a tear is an actual defect in the tendon. They can occur together, which is why a scan is helpful.
Will an injection cure it?
An injection often settles the pain and, combined with physiotherapy, resolves many cases. If symptoms return, keyhole surgery is a reliable next step.
Take the first step towards a pain-free shoulder or elbow
Book online, call 07590 880438, or send an enquiry. Mr Corner sees patients at Spire Harpenden and One Stop Healthcare, Hemel Hempstead.