What Is Shoulder Impingement aka Swimmer's Shoulder?

Shoulder impingement is an overuse injury commonly seen in athletes who use their shoulders in sport - such as baseball, softball, and (yes) swimmers. This condition develops when the top outer edge of the shoulder blade gets pinched or rubs against the rotator cuff. 

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help your arm complete rotating and raising motions. When overused, the tendons in the rotator cuff can become inflamed and swollen. This swelling causes the rotator cuff to rub unnaturally against and catch in the shoulder blade. 

Typically shoulder impingement is caused by:

• Repetitive action and overuse of the shoulder

• A sport's injury

• Wear-and-tear of the rotator cuff naturally caused by aging

• Deformity of the shoulder, such as bone spurs

Shoulder impingement is such a common condition, it's thought to be the cause of 44-65% of all reported shoulder pain. 

Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement

Symptoms of shoulder impingement generally start gradually and then worsen over time. These symptoms include:

• Pain when extending your arms

• Pain when lifting and lowering your arm

• Pain when attempting to reach behind your back

• Pain the front of the shoulder

• Tenderness in the front of the shoulder

• Pain when lying on your shoulder

• Pain at night

• Shoulder weakness

Shoulder impingement symptoms are closely related to symptoms for other common shoulder pain conditions such as shoulder tendonitis and bursitis. In some cases, these conditions can occur alongside or in addition to shoulder impingement. That is why is essential to have your shoulder pain properly diagnosed by an orthopaedic professional. 

At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery, Dr. Sterett will expertly diagnose the cause of your shoulder pain through a combination of conversation, physical exam, and imaging tests. Once the shoulder injury or condition is diagnosed, Dr. Sterett will recommend a treatment plan that's right for you and your lifestyle.

Does Shoulder Impingement Need Surgery?

The majority of shoulder impingement cases can be treated nonsurgically. This is done through multiple conservative methods including:

• Rest

• Ice

• Anti-inflammatory medications

• Activity modification

• Physical therapy

• Steroid injections

Conservative methods can take anywhere from six weeks to two months to fully heal your shoulder impingement. If these methods do not relieve pain and restore shoulder function, Dr. Sterett and his team may recommend surgery. 

Most shoulder impingement surgeries are performed arthroscopically, meaning via a camera inserted through small incisions in the shoulder. This is a minimally invasive method that allows for faster recovery with less trauma to the surrounding tissue. The majority of Dr. Sterett's patients can return to normal activity within two to four months.

Shoulder Impingement Specialist in Colorado

If you are experiencing shoulder pain or symptoms of shoulder impingement, contact Dr. Sterett today! He and his team will expertly diagnose the condition or injury behind your shoulder pain and recommend a treatment plan that gets you back to the activities you love.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Sterett, contact his office at Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery. Call (970) 476-7220 or complete the online appointment request form. Same-day and urgent care appointments are often available!