How is shoulder impingement treated?

Shoulder impingement, also called subacromial pain syndrome, can cause pain when the arm is lifted. The focus is to calm irritation, maintain comfortable movement, and strengthen the rotator cuff and shoulder-blade muscles. A clinician may examine movement and strength before deciding whether imaging is useful.

Temporarily reduce repeated overhead reaching, heavy lifting, and the specific motion that provokes pain, while keeping the shoulder gently moving. Physiotherapy can provide a tailored programme of mobility, rotator-cuff strengthening, and posture or technique work. A cortisone injection may be considered when pain is limiting rehabilitation, after discussing its suitability. If symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate non-surgical care, a specialist may discuss subacromial decompression; surgery is not the first option for everyone.

Arrange review if pain persists, worsens, limits dressing or sleep, or is accompanied by meaningful weakness. Seek urgent assessment after an injury if the arm looks deformed, cannot be moved, or becomes numb, cold, or unusually pale. Chest discomfort, breathlessness, sweating, or pain spreading to the jaw or arm needs emergency help.

Ask which movements to pause, what exercise progression is appropriate, whether an injection could help rehabilitation, and what findings would make surgery worth considering.