What causes shoulder impingement syndrome?

Common causes include overuse, poor posture, trauma, age-related changes, and shoulder deformities. Conditions such as rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis can also lead to impingement.

How long does shoulder impingement surgery recovery take?

Recovery varies by patient. Some recover within weeks, while others need months. Desk workers often return within about three weeks, and full recovery may take up to six months depending on the procedure and physical therapy plan.

What treatments are available for shoulder impingement?

Nonsurgical options include NSAIDs, rest, injections, and physical therapy. Surgical treatments may involve subacromial decompression, bursectomy, or rotator cuff repair when tendons are damaged or detached.

Shoulder Impingement Surgery in Dallas and Richardson, Texas

Q: What is shoulder impingement syndrome?

Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when soft tissues become pinched between the acromion and the rotator cuff, leading to pain, inflammation, and reduced movement. If untreated, it can contribute to rotator cuff disease and difficulty with daily activities.

Q: How long does shoulder impingement last?

Depending on lifestyle, severity, and medical history, shoulder impingement may last from a few weeks to several months. Severe cases may require a year or longer for full recovery.

Q: Is swimmer’s shoulder the same as shoulder impingement?

Swimmer’s shoulder refers to multiple shoulder problems seen in swimmers, including shoulder impingement syndrome. Treatment focuses on relieving pain and restoring mobility.

Q: How can I prevent shoulder impingement syndrome?

Practices such as maintaining good posture, strengthening shoulder muscles, using proper lifting techniques, and exercising regularly may help prevent impingement. Resting or icing early discomfort can also reduce symptoms.

Q: Does shoulder impingement require surgery?

Some patients improve with rest, medication, injections, and physical therapy. Surgery may be recommended when nonsurgical treatments do not relieve symptoms or when damage to the tendons or bursa is significant.

Q: Why choose Eminent Medical Center for shoulder impingement surgery?

Eminent Medical Center offers experienced orthopedic surgeons, advanced surgical techniques, and personalized care from diagnosis through rehabilitation. Patients across Dallas and Richardson receive focused treatment aimed at reducing pain and restoring shoulder function.

Advanced Surgical Treatment for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome at Eminent Medical Center

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a painful condition characterized by structural narrowing of the subacromial space, or the space between the tip of your shoulder blade and the top of the arm bone. This leads to inflammation of the rotator cuff tendon and can sometimes require shoulder impingement surgery to correct. If you’re experiencing constant shoulder pain and weakness, consult with the medical professionals at Eminent Medical Center as soon as possible.

In addition to causing significant pain, shoulder impingement can sometimes lead to conditions like frozen shoulder if not treated. Our shoulder surgeons in Richardson work to restore your range of motion and reduce your shoulder pain. The Eminent Medical Center team has the expertise to handle your diagnosis, shoulder surgery, and repair.

What is Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

Impingement occurs when tissues inside a joint become pinched or rub together, causing pain, inflammation, and sometimes tearing. Shoulder impingement involves tissues becoming pinched between the outer top edge of your shoulder blade, also known as the acromion, and the rotator cuff. As a result, you may feel a painful pinching that can be especially noticeable when you move. According to a study published by the National Library of Medicine, shoulder impingement is the leading cause of shoulder pain.

Over time, shoulder impingement can lead to other serious conditions. For example, continuous damage to the tendon may eventually lead to rotator cuff disease. This disease can make it difficult to lift, reach, or rotate the arm comfortably. Daily tasks such as getting dressed, styling your hair, and lifting objects may become painful. Proper treatment is necessary to prevent your shoulder muscles from weakening.

Whether you need rotator cuff repair, shoulder impingement surgery, or other shoulder treatment, Eminent Medical Center can help. Our orthopedic surgeons evaluate each patient and their medical history to personalize their treatment plan.

Types of Shoulder Impingement Syndrome

Shoulder impingement syndrome can be classified according to where the pinching or impingement occurs. Subacromial impingement syndrome involves soft tissues becoming compressed between the acromion and the top of the ball joint. In a subcoracoid impingement, your rotator cuff is pinched between the front of the scapula and a portion of the humerus bone below the ball joint. Internal shoulder impingement occurs when a tendon becomes pinched between the ball joint and the back of the shoulder socket. Alternatively, shoulder impingement syndrome can be classified by the part of the body affected by or causing the impingement.

Rotator Cuff Tendinits

Rotator cuff tendinitis involves the swelling or inflammation of one or more of the four tendons in the rotator cuff of the shoulder. Shoulder rotator cuff tendons include the supraspinatus tendon, the infraspinatus tendon, the teres minor tendon, and the subscapularis tendon. These tendons support your rotator cuff and assist in shoulder joint movement. If left untreated, the patient may develop other forms of rotator cuff tendinopathy or damage to rotator tendons. Eminent Medical Center’s Richardson rotator cuff surgeons provide professional care to those who have damaged rotator cuffs due to shoulder impingement.

Shoulder Bursitis

A bursa is a sac that lines some joints in your body. These fluid-filled sacs act as a cushion for your joints, including your rotator cuff and shoulder blade. Bursitis refers to inflammation of a bursa, which can lead to a burning sensation in your shoulder. In some cases, bursa inflammation can lead to shoulder impingement.

Acromion Bone Deformity

This type of bone deformity within the shoulder blade causes the acromion bone to be misshapen. While the acromion, or the top of your shoulder blade, is typically flat, deformity can cause it to be curved. Its abnormal shape makes it more likely to pinch or rub against your rotator cuff. This can irritate and inflame the shoulder, leading to pain.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Causes

There are multiple causes of shoulder impingement, including overuse, poor posture, age, trauma, and deformities of the shoulder. Additionally, rotator cuff tendinitis and subacromial bursitis are specific causes of shoulder issues.

Both surgical and nonsurgical treatments can bring you much-needed relief from the discomfort caused by shoulder impingement. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are commonly used to relieve pain from shoulder impingement. Other nonsurgical treatments include rest, injections, and physical therapy. If you regularly participate in activities that require heavy use of your shoulder, like swimming, tennis, or other sports, you may want to modify your activities.

If you are still experiencing pain after trying nonsurgical solutions, surgical intervention may be necessary. Keep your doctor informed about your symptoms so they can help you determine if you need surgery.

Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder pain is the most common symptom of shoulder impingement. Pain may spread from your shoulder to your arm or worsen at night. Pain often worsens when lifting, lowering, or extending your arm. Other symptoms include stiffness and a reduced range of motion. You may notice swelling, skin discoloration, or cracking and popping noises when moving your shoulder.

Given that shoulder impingement can damage your shoulder joint, it is important to seek medical care in a timely manner. By seeking treatment, you may be able to limit damage to your rotator cuff or even avoid torn tendons. It may be time to seek medical evaluation for your shoulder if the pain is intense, persistent, and impacts your daily activities. Tingling, numbness, weakness, or limited range of motion are also reasons to seek medical care.

Shoulder Impingement Treatment in Dallas, Texas

At Eminent Medical Center, our team focuses on relieving your shoulder pain and restoring mobility in your arm and shoulder. If previous treatments, such as rest, physical therapy, or anti-inflammatory medications, have not been effective for you, we can help. Our knowledgeable Texas orthopedic surgeons can recommend outpatient procedures and surgical options to alleviate your pain.

One common shoulder impingement surgery is a subacromial decompression. This surgical procedure relieves pressure on the rotator cuff by creating more space in the subacromial area between the shoulder blade and rotator cuff. Alternatively, a bursectomy involves removing an inflamed bursa. If your tendons have detached from your rotator cuff, rotator cuff repair surgery can reattach those tendons.

Shoulder Decompression Surgery

Shoulder decompression surgery is common in cases where the patient has either bone spurs or a curved or hooked acromion. This procedure involves expanding the subacromial space by removing bone tissue from the acromion, relieving pressure on the rotator tendons and soft tissues within that space.

Advantages of Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery

An arthroscopic shoulder surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to examine and treat issues within the shoulder joint. This involves inserting a small arthroscope or camera, along with surgical instruments, through tiny incisions to repair the affected area. Arthroscopic surgery can treat many conditions, including rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, arthritis, and bone spurs.

Like any surgery, this process can pose certain risks and complications. However, since arthroscopic techniques use smaller incisions and disturb surrounding soft tissues less, arthroscopic surgery generally involves less risk. Patients often experience reduced pain and minimal scarring. Furthermore, some patients are able to recover faster from this type of surgery.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome FAQs

How Long Does Shoulder Impingement Last?

Depending on the person, their lifestyle, and medical history, shoulder impingement can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. For severe cases, recovery may take up to a year or longer.

Is Swimmer's Shoulder the Same as Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

Swimmer’s shoulder is often used in medical spaces to refer to multiple shoulder pathologies that commonly occur in professional swimmers. One of the conditions included under swimmer’s shoulder is shoulder impingement syndrome. Our Richardson sports medicine doctors can help swimmers and other athletes recover from shoulder impingement.

How to Prevent Shoulder Impingement Syndrome?

Maintaining good posture, strengthening your shoulder muscles, using proper lifting techniques, and exercising regularly are ways to try to prevent shoulder impingement. If you notice your shoulder is sore, you can prevent it from becoming worse by using ice on the pain or by resting.

Does Shoulder Impingement Require Surgery?

Shoulder impingement sometimes requires surgery. After you have had shoulder impingement diagnosed, your doctor can go over both nonsurgical conservative treatments and surgical treatment options.

How Long is Shoulder Impingement Surgery Recovery Time?

Recovery time varies from person to person. Some recover within weeks, while others may take months. Most people who work desk jobs can return to work within 3 weeks and will see a full recovery by the 6-month mark. The extent of the repair, the patient’s health, and following the physical therapy plan will play a role in the recovery.

Why Dallas and Richardson Patients Choose Eminent Medical Center for Shoulder Impingement Surgery

When you need shoulder impingement surgery, choose Eminent Medical Center. We have skilled orthopedic surgeons with extensive experience who can help you achieve a full recovery. Our state-of-the-art surgical techniques reflect our commitment to reducing your pain. The Eminent Medical Center team aims to give you peace of mind through comprehensive care from diagnosis to rehabilitation. We serve patients with shoulder conditions across Dallas and Richardson, Texas.

At Eminent, you are more than just a number. We prioritize your well-being and deliver high-quality surgical services in Texas. Contact us today at (469) 910-8800 or schedule your consultation online to discuss ways to relieve your shoulder pain.