Last Updated on November 4, 2025 by mcelik

David Festa, a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins, was forced to stop playing due to shoulder impingement. This shows how much this condition can affect someone’s life and performance. Shoulder impingement happens when the rotator cuff tendons get inflamed or irritated. This leads to pain and discomfort, mainly when lifting the arm.

This pain can really hold you back, making everyday tasks hard and affecting your mood. It’s not just for athletes; anyone can get it. It causes persistent discomfort and limits how well you can move.

Key Takeaways

• Shoulder impingement is a common condition that can cause significant pain.
• It often affects the rotator cuff tendons, leading to discomfort when lifting the arm.
• The condition can impact daily life and is not limited to athletes.
• Understanding the symptoms is key to finding the right treatment.
• Getting diagnosed early is important for managing the condition well.

The Basics of Shoulder Impingement

To understand shoulder impingement, we need to know about the shoulder’s anatomy and risks. Shoulder impingement, or impingement syndrome, happens when the rotator cuff tendons get inflamed or irritated. This happens as they move through the shoulder joint.

Definition and Anatomy of the Shoulder

The shoulder joint is made up of bones, tendons, and ligaments. It’s a ball-and-socket joint that lets us move our arms in many ways. The rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons, surrounds the joint. It helps keep the shoulder stable and allows for movement.

The shoulder includes the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. The rotator cuff tendons can get pinched or irritated between these bones. This leads to impingement.

Prevalence and Risk Factors

Shoulder impingement is common and affects people of all ages and activity levels. Some things make it more likely, like doing the same overhead movements over and over. Poor posture and muscle imbalances also increase the risk.

Risk Factor	Description
Repetitive Overhead Activities	Actions that involve lifting the arm above the head, common in sports like baseball or swimming.
Poor Posture	Abnormal posture that can lead to altered biomechanics of the shoulder.
Muscle Imbalances	Weakness or tightness in the muscles around the shoulder, affecting its stability.

Knowing these risk factors helps prevent and treat shoulder impingement. Spotting the signs and symptoms early is key. This way, people can get the right treatment and avoid more problems.

The Characteristic Pain of Shoulder Impingement

Understanding shoulder impingement pain is key for diagnosis and treatment. This pain is common and has specific signs to look for.

Location and Quality of Pain

Shoulder impingement pain is usually felt in the shoulder and upper arm. It can feel sharp or aching. Lifting the arm or reaching overhead can make it worse.

The pain’s quality can vary. Some feel a dull ache, while others have sharp, stabbing pain.

Movements like raising the arm or reaching behind the back can make pain worse. These actions cause the rotator cuff tendons to rub against the acromion, leading to irritation and inflammation.

How Pain Changes Throughout the Day

The pain from shoulder impingement can change throughout the day. It often gets worse after activities, like overhead movements. Athletes or those with jobs that involve arm movements may feel more pain as the day goes on.

At night, the pain can get even worse, possibly keeping you awake. Sleeping on the affected shoulder can make it harder to find a comfortable position. This nighttime pain can really affect your life.

Knowing how shoulder impingement pain behaves helps doctors create better treatment plans. This can help manage symptoms and improve patient outcomes.

Common Sensations and Symptoms

Shoulder impingement can really affect people’s lives. They often feel several symptoms that make daily tasks hard. These symptoms can be quite different for everyone.

Sharp Pain When Raising Your Arm

Sharp pain when raising the arm is a common symptom. This pain happens when the arm is lifted between 60 and 120 degrees. It’s called the “painful arc.” The pain is caused by tendons getting pinched by bones.

Weakness and Difficulty With Overhead Activities

People with shoulder impingement often feel weakness and find it hard to do overhead activities. Even simple tasks like reaching for high shelves can be tough. This is because of the pain and discomfort from the condition.

Catching or Grinding Sensations

Some may feel catching or grinding sensations in their shoulder. This is called crepitus. It happens when tendons get irritated and inflamed. This makes the shoulder joint feel rough or gritty when moved.

Nighttime Discomfort and Sleep Disruption

Nighttime discomfort is a big problem for those with shoulder impingement. The pain can be so bad it keeps you awake. Finding a comfortable position, like when lying on the affected shoulder, is hard. This leads to fatigue and more discomfort.

In short, shoulder impingement symptoms can really change someone’s life. They affect not just physical tasks but also comfort and sleep. It’s important to recognize these symptoms to get the right medical help.

• Sharp pain when raising the arm
• Weakness and difficulty with overhead activities
• Catching or grinding sensations in the shoulder
• Nighttime discomfort and sleep disruption

How Shoulder Impingement Pain Progresses

Understanding how shoulder impingement pain progresses is key to managing it well. Shoulder impingement, or subacromial impingement syndrome, happens when rotator cuff tendons get inflamed or irritated. This occurs as they move through the subacromial space.

Early Stage Symptoms

In the early stages, symptoms of shoulder impingement are often mild and come and go. You might feel a dull ache or sharp pain when lifting your arm or doing overhead activities. These symptoms can be managed, and many people keep doing their daily tasks without seeing a doctor.

Early-stage symptoms may include:

• Mild pain or discomfort when moving the shoulder
• Sharp pain when lifting the arm or performing specific actions
• A feeling of stiffness or reduced mobility in the shoulder

Advanced Stage Symptoms

As shoulder impingement gets worse, symptoms can become more severe and limit daily activities. Advanced-stage symptoms can really affect your daily life and overall well-being. The pain can be constant, and you might find it hard to move your arm.

Advanced-stage symptoms may include:

• Persistent and severe pain, even at rest
• Significant weakness or difficulty with overhead activities
• Catching or grinding sensations in the shoulder
• Nighttime discomfort that disrupts sleep

If you’re experiencing these advanced symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor. Untreated shoulder impingement can cause more serious problems, like rotator cuff tears or chronic shoulder pain.

Different Types of Shoulder Impingement

It’s important to know the different types of shoulder impingement to treat it well. Shoulder impingement falls into two main categories: primary (structural) and secondary (functional).

Primary (Structural) Impingement

Primary or structural impingement happens because of the shoulder’s physical shape. It’s often caused by the acromion’s shape or bone spurs that rub against the rotator cuff tendons. Structural problems can cause friction between the tendons and the acromion, leading to pain and less mobility.

Doctors say the acromion’s shape and slope are key in primary impingement. This shows how important the body’s structure is in shoulder impingement.

Secondary (Functional) Impingement

Secondary or functional impingement isn’t due to a physical problem but how the shoulder moves. It can come from muscle imbalances, bad posture, or repetitive actions that make the humerus move wrongly in the glenoid cavity. This type affects people who do overhead activities or sports.

Functional impingement can be as bad as primary impingement. Treating it means fixing the underlying issues, like posture or muscle strength.

Healthcare experts stress knowing if it’s primary or secondary is vital for treatment. This helps focus on the right cause, whether it’s a physical issue or how the shoulder moves.

Common Causes of Shoulder Impingement

Shoulder impingement comes from many causes. These include both the body’s structure and how it moves. It happens when tendons and bursae in the shoulder get compressed or irritated.

Anatomical Factors

Body structure is a big part of shoulder impingement. These include:

• Acromion shape and structure: The acromion’s shape can affect the space under it, leading to impingement.
• Variations in bone structure: Different bone shapes, like spurs, can make the space under the acromion smaller.

Overuse and Repetitive Motions

Doing the same thing over and over can hurt your shoulder. This is true for people who:

1. Do a lot of overhead movements: Throwing, swimming, or working overhead can strain the tendons.
2. Lift heavy things: Lifting heavy, like overhead, can also strain the shoulder and cause impingement.

Poor Posture and Muscle Imbalances

Bad posture and muscle imbalances can also cause impingement. This can happen because of:

• Forward head posture: This changes how the shoulder and neck line up.
• Muscle weakness or tightness: If the muscles around the shoulder are not balanced, it can affect how the shoulder moves.

Knowing what causes shoulder impingement is key to preventing and treating it. By fixing body structure issues, changing how you move, and improving posture and muscle balance, you can lower your risk of getting shoulder impingement.

Activities That Trigger or Worsen Impingement Pain

Finding out what activities make impingement pain worse is important. Shoulder pain from impingement can be caused by certain movements and daily tasks.

Overhead Movements

Overhead movements often make impingement pain worse. Raising your arm above your head can irritate tendons against the shoulder bones. This leads to pain. Examples include lifting heavy things, playing sports like swimming or tennis, and reaching for high shelves.

To lessen pain from overhead activities, use the right technique and strengthen your shoulders. Sometimes, you might need to avoid these movements to feel better.

Daily Activities That Cause Pain

Even everyday tasks can hurt your shoulder. Simple actions like getting dressed, carrying groceries, or sleeping on the wrong side can make it worse. Knowing how daily activities affect your shoulder is key to managing pain.

Daily Activity	Potential Impact on Shoulder Impingement	Modification Suggestions
Lifting Groceries	Heavy lifting can strain shoulder tendons.	Use lighter bags or distribute weight evenly.
Sleeping on the Side	Pressure on the shoulder can irritate tendons.	Sleep on the back or use a supportive pillow.
Reaching for High Shelves	Overhead reaching can cause tendon irritation.	Use a step stool or ask for assistance.

Knowing these daily activities and making small changes can help. Strengthening your shoulder muscles and keeping good posture also supports your shoulder health.

Distinguishing Shoulder Impingement From Other Conditions

Getting a correct diagnosis for shoulder impingement is key. It’s important to tell it apart from other shoulder pain causes like rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder. These conditions share similar symptoms, making it vital to diagnose them right for the right treatment.

Rotator Cuff Tears vs. Impingement

Rotator cuff tears and impingement both cause shoulder pain. But they are different. A rotator cuff tear means the tendons are torn, while impingement is when these tendons get compressed.

Both can hurt when you lift your arm. But, a rotator cuff tear often leads to weakness and loss of function. Impingement, on the other hand, mainly causes pain during specific movements.

Tests like MRI or ultrasound can spot the difference. They show the tendons and any tears, helping to tell them apart.

Frozen Shoulder vs. Impingement

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, can also be mistaken for impingement. It makes the shoulder stiff and painful, limiting movement. Unlike impingement, frozen shoulder hurt more and are stiffer, even when you’re not moving.

The main difference is in how much you can move your shoulder. Frozen shoulders make it hard to move, both actively and passively. Impingement might hurt during certain movements but doesn’t limit your range of motion as much.

Doctors can tell these conditions apart by looking at your symptoms, medical history, and imaging tests. This helps them choose the right treatment for you.

When To See a Doctor About Shoulder Pain

Knowing when to see a doctor for shoulder pain is key. It helps in treating the issue and avoiding more problems. Shoulder pain can come from many sources. Some might get better on their own, but others need quick medical check-ups to avoid lasting harm.

Red Flags and Warning Signs

Some symptoms mean you should see a doctor right away. These include:

• Severe pain that doesn’t get better with rest or medicine
• Swelling, bruising, or shape changes around the shoulder
• Arm or hand weakness or numbness
• Can’t move your shoulder or has limited movement
• Shoulder injury or trauma

If you notice any of these red flags, get medical help fast. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons says, “Early treatment can greatly improve outcomes for many shoulder problems.”

“Waiting too long to see a doctor can make recovery longer and might make the problem worse.”

What to Expect at Your Appointment

At your doctor’s visit for shoulder pain, expect a thorough check-up. This usually includes:

1. Talking about your medical history to understand your pain
2. A physical check to see how well your shoulder moves, how strong it is, and if it’s stable
3. Imaging tests like X-rays or an MRI to find out what’s causing the pain

Be ready to share your symptoms in detail. Tell your doctor when the pain started and what makes it better or worse. They might also ask about your daily activities and any past injuries or health issues.

By knowing when to go to the doctor and what to expect, you can tackle your shoulder pain more effectively.

How Doctors Diagnose Shoulder Impingement

Doctors use a detailed medical check to find out if you have shoulder impingement. They start by looking at your medical history. Then, they do a physical exam to see if there’s pain or if your shoulder moves less than usual.

Tests are key to confirming shoulder impingement. X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI scans show the shoulder’s structure. They help spot bone spurs or tendon swelling. These tests also help rule out other possible causes of your symptoms.

By doing a full medical check and using tests, doctors can accurately diagnose shoulder impingement. This lets them create a treatment plan that works. Understanding the cause helps them target the right treatments to ease your symptoms and improve your shoulder’s function.

FAQ

Reference

• Hanratty, C. E., McVeigh, J. G., Kerr, D. P., Basford, J. R., Finch, M. B., Pendleton, A., & Sim, J. (2012). The effectiveness of physiotherapy exercises in subacromial impingement syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis. SEMJ, *18*(2), 68–78. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5796599/