Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Impingement Syndrome, which is sometimes called Swimmer’s shoulder or Thrower’s shoulder, is caused by the tendons of the rotator cuff (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis muscles) becoming ‘impinged’ as they pass through a narrow bony space called the subacromial space – so called because it is under the arch of the acromium which is a part of the shoulder blade. With repetitive pinching, the tendon(s) become irritated and inflamed. There are other structures that can cause this so come in for a check to see what the problem is.

Symptoms:

• Shoulder pain that gradually comes on over time
• Pain at the front/side of the shoulder when lifting the arm above head height
• Pain at the back and/or front of the shoulder when the arm is held out to the side (abducted) and turned outwards (external rotation)

Article on Impingement Syndromes from ‘Shoulder Solutions’