Any type of shoulder pain disrupts your routine. A shoulder impingement can mean that you have a muscle strain, a pinched nerve or a torn rotator cuff. Don’t let it get worse. Look for chronic pain management doctors near you for medical attention. Your injury doctor conducts shoulder impingement tests to reach a diagnosis and recommend effective treatment. You’re in good hands at our pain center. Call today for an appointment.
A shoulder impingement is one of the leading causes of shoulder pain and physical discomfort. All the bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons and other soft tissues in your shoulder must work together seamlessly to provide you the strength, functionality, and range of motion you need to do even simple tasks.
Since your shoulder is the most open joint of your body, providing more movements than your other joints, it’s especially vulnerable to painful problems. Shoulder pain can occur as the result of an injury, irritation, abnormal bone growth or a medical condition like bursitis or tendonitis. Visit our pain clinic in New York for effective remedies for your pain.
Shoulder Impingement: Causes and Symptoms
Shoulder impingement can affect individuals of any age, though risk increases with age and physical activity. The condition may result from a specific injury or develop gradually without an obvious cause.
Common symptoms:
- Tenderness and swelling at the front of the shoulder.
- Stiffness and pain when lifting or lowering the arm.
- Radiating pain through the shoulder and down the arm.
- Sharp pain during reaching or lifting movements.
- Persistent discomfort during both activity and rest.
Signs of Progression
If the condition worsens, you may notice:
- Significant loss of arm and shoulder strength.
- Noticeable decrease in range of motion.
- Difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as fastening buttons or zippers.
Rotator Cuff Issues
Your rotator cuff is the group of muscles and ligaments that holds your bones together and enables you to move your shoulder fully. The rotator cuff forms a strong bond and protective cover that anchors your arm securely into your shoulder socket. But your shoulder joint is so open that all of its parts, including the rotator cuff, are susceptible to injury.
When you raise your arms to the height of your shoulders, the space between your rotator cuff and your acromion gets significantly smaller. In some cases, this can cause your acromion to rub directly against your tendon and its bursa. This can be extremely painful and cause a great deal of irritation. Additionally, your rotator cuff naturally breaks down as a result of overuse and your body’s aging process.
Shoulder Impingement Tests
Working with the top pain management doctors in New York increases your chances for an accurate diagnosis and full recovery from your shoulder woes. The injury clinic at Pain Management NYC has the latest imaging equipment and practical medical experience to accurately determine what’s going on in your shoulder and how best to resolve it.
Your chronic pain doctor follows a thorough physical exam with a detailed discussion of your medical history. If necessary, you undergo imaging tests for your shoulder impingement. The shoulder doctors at Pain Management NYC then make their diagnosis. Once they find the source of your pain, the options for treating your shoulder impingement become clearer.
Moving Past Your Pain
Shoulder impingement treatment varies, depending on the severity of your condition. Minor cases and early discovery cases are the easiest to treat, so don’t delay if you hurt your shoulder. Shoulder impingement recovery time is directly related to the specific treatment you receive. Common treatments include:
- Minor cases can be resolved with rest and pain management, including oral medication.
- Shoulder injections that include corticosteroids are beneficial for an impingement that’s more severe.
- If your case is extreme, a top NYC pain specialist employs minimally invasive surgical techniques to provide more room in your shoulder for your rotator cuff to move.
Shoulder impingement treatment with physical therapy is a powerful combination. It provides pain relief while you work to physically loosen your shoulder through targeted exercises and stretches. A physical therapy regimen aims to restore your normal range and function. It also ensures the most complete recovery possible. Leave the pain behind by contacting Pain Management NYC.
Written by Dr. Boleslav Kosharskyy, MD
(Pain Management Doctor)