SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT

Impingement is the compression of structures between the head of your arm bone and part of the shoulder blade above this bone. This can cause repeated stress on underlying structures such as tendons, bursa, and muscles including the rotator cuff and biceps. If not addressed, it can lead to rotator cuff muscle tears. It is common in throwing and overhead athletes.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

• Shoulder pain that can be localized to the front of the shoulder but also often radiates down into the upper arm and usually occurs with elevating your arm to or above shoulder height
• Loss of mobility
• Weakness

HOW CAN PHYSICAL THERAPY HELP?

Physical therapy treatment will help to restore normal joint mechanics in order to reduce compression of the involved structures through soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilizations, stretching, shoulder blade strengthening, rotator cuff strengthening, and postural re-education. Your PT will provide you with a comprehensive home exercise program to ensure proper recovery.