The shoulder is a complex ball and socket joint that is made up of the humerus (arm bone), the scapula (shoulder blade) and the clavicle (collar bone). The shoulder is supported by many ligaments and muscular attachments that help to move it. An extremely mobile joint, the shoulder allows people to reach and move in many directions.
However, the shoulder is not a very stable type of joint and tends to be easily injured. Pain can arise from problems with instability or impingement of the soft tissue or bony structure. The shoulder can be injured by performing manual labor, playing sports, or very often by repetitive movements especially with athletes performing overhead movements. Pain and discomfort may be temporary or it may continue and…show more content… It can also be caused by an injury to the shoulder. People who perform repetitive or overhead arm movements, such as manual laborers or athletes who raise their arms repeatedly overhead (ie, weightlifters and baseball pitchers), are most at risk for developing a shoulder impingement. Poor posture can also contribute to its development. If left untreated, a shoulder impingement can lead to more serious conditions, such as a rotator cuff tear. Physical therapists can help decrease pain, and improve shoulder motion and strength in people with shoulder…show more content… Shoulder impingement syndrome may also be referred to as "subacromial" impingement syndrome because the tendons, ligaments, and bursa under the "acromion" can become pinched or compressed. The shoulder is made up of 3 bones called the humerus, the scapula, and the clavicle. The acromion is a bony prominence on the top of the scapula, which can be felt as a bump at the tip of the shoulder.
The rotator cuff tendon and the bursa sit beneath the acromion. The bursa is a fluid-filled sac that provides a cushion between the bony acromion and the rotator cuff tendon, and it can become compressed underneath the acromion. Impingement symptoms can occur when compression and microtrauma harm the tendons. There are several causes to shoulder impingement syndrome including:
• Repetitive overhead movements, such as golfing, throwing, racquet sports, and swimming, or frequent overhead reaching or lifting.
• Injury, such as a fall, where the shoulder gets compressed.
• Bony abnormalities of the acromion, which narrow the subacromial space.
• Osteoarthritis in the shoulder
