How long to rest shoulder impingement

A bursa is a fluid filled sac that keeps the tendon from scraping along the bone. When the rotator cuff tendon and the bursa are compressed repeatedly that irritates the tissue causing inflammation and pain. When the tissue is inflamed it takes up more space underneath the acromion the roof of the shoulder and part of the scapula causing more difficulty reaching overhead due to limited space to move.

As you can see in the cycle of pain and dysfunction below. There are different causes for impingement and therefore slightly different approaches to treatment.

Primary impingement: Occurs when the main cause of the impingement is from anatomical or congenital factors. The acromion, or roof of the shoulder joint, can come in a few different shapes. The optimal shape is a flat sloped acromion which provides the most amount of space.

The acromion can also be curved or hooked both which take up valuable space and increase the likelihood that impingement will occur with movement. Secondary impingement: Occurs when the main cause of impingement is related to poor movement patterns, altered motor control, decreased strength, injury, tissue restriction, or overuse.

The outcome of these factors is the adherent movement of the humeral head in the socket. Eradicating pain and dysfunction from impingement relies on multiple factors. This is a faulty assumption and leads to many poor outcomes when treating impingement. Additionally, there are more effective ways to treat impingement. Once you have correctly identified the type of impingement you need to address the specific causative factors.

It is important to note that treating shoulder impingement conservatively is very successful. The pain may not subside immediately, maybe weeks, but it will go away with proper treatment. I recommend that you give physical therapy and movement retraining an honest chance before heading under the knife. Impingement may be the most common reason for shoulder pain, but it does not have to be difficult to treat.

If you have shoulder impingement be sure to visit a physical therapist with experience treating impingement for the best outcomes. For physical therapists, we can do a much better job treating impingement if we go beyond band exercises and modalities.

If you would like to speak with a specialist in shoulder rehabilitation please call Kevin at or email kevin compedgept. Vandi is the founder of Competitive EDGE Physical Therapy — with his background in physical therapy, orthopedics, and biomechanics, he is a highly educated, compassionate specialist. Putting the arm over the head or behind the back may become increasingly difficult. Without treatment, the tendons in the rotator cuff may wear down or tear, which can lead to worse pain, shoulder weakness, and difficulty lifting or using the shoulder at all.

Over time, any activity that repeatedly requires a person to move the arm up above the shoulder and toward the back may put them at risk of impingement. Shoulder impingement occurs due to overuse, but age is also a factor.

The longer the person has spent using the shoulder or doing these types of activities, the more likely symptoms become. Injuries, such as a dislocated shoulder, are other important causes of shoulder problems, including impingement and rotator cuff tears. Diagnosing shoulder impingement early on is important, as treatment can help prevent symptoms from getting worse. Doctors will do a physical examination of the shoulder first, checking for any signs of injury, bruising, or swelling. They will also ask the person questions about when their symptoms started.

In some cases, doctors may then order imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI scan , to rule out other possible causes of the pain. Other possible causes include bone spurs , injuries, and arthritis.

Conservative treatments are effective for many people. Minor cases may resolve more quickly. Conservative treatment for shoulder impingement can include :. Physical therapy uses safe, gentle exercises to strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and restore the range of motion in this area of the body. A small study in demonstrated that 10 weeks of physical therapy both improved function and reduced pain in people with shoulder impingement. The duration of healing will vary, however, depending on the individual case.

In cases where the body does not respond to these conservative treatments, doctors may recommend surgery. The surgical procedure for shoulder impingement widens the space around the rotator cuff to prevent friction.

If a person has a rotator cuff tear, surgical reparation may also be necessary. Part of the treatment for shoulder impingement is learning to prevent future injury. Physical therapists will show the person how to use the shoulder correctly and train them on specific movements relevant to their occupation or sport to avoid injury in the future.

It is vital to follow any exercise plan that a physical therapist has set up. Anyone who has not booked an appointment with a doctor to discuss treatment should do so.

Below are a few possible exercises that a physical therapist might recommend to help heal shoulder infringement. These pendulum exercises will prevent your shoulder from becoming stiff. Physical Therapy: The physical therapist will initially try to reduce the inflammation in your shoulder. Later, therapy will be designed to strengthen the shoulder to prevent the problem from recurring.

Medication: Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammation pills. These could form a very important part of the treatment.

In certain circumstances an injection of cortisone into the shoulder may be indicated. It is usually a secondary treatment to supplement other therapy. After an injection you should not attempt any vigorous activities with your arm for a week to ten days. Surgery: Sometimes surgery is required to treat this condition. If calcium deposits occur or impingement is present, surgery may be necessary to remove these problems. Risks: Stiffness, infection, nerve, or blood vessel damage, bleeding, persistent symptoms, phlebitis, anesthetic problems, pneumonia, etc.

Rotator Cuff Tears: If the muscle is found to be torn at arthroscopy, a repair may be necessary. It is the overhead motion of the arm that aggravates this condition. In severe cases all sports using the arm should be avoided. When you go back to your sport, go back slowly. Throw easily and do not play for a long duration of time. Slowly increase the strength of your arm and the intensity of your game. In some sports you can avoid the overhead motions i.

Initially an underhand or side-arm throw will be easier than an overhand throw. Warm up well. Throw easily and gradually increase to harder throwing. Try and maintain a smooth throwing motion.