Shoulder Impingement

This is a condition where there is pain in the shoulder just underneath the bony roof (acromion) with forward flexion, internal rotation or sidewards movement of the arm (abduction). This is so, because the supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa get trapped between the upper humerus bone and the acromion of the shoulder blade.

Patients who have this kind of problem have it because there is a variation of the angle that the acromion forms, with which they were born (acromion type I, II or III). This leads to a narrowing of the space between the acromion and the rotator cuff within the shoulder with type II and III, while type I is normal.

Things are just a bit more narrow and crowded and this can lead to an irritation and inflammation of the rotator cuff (rotator cuff tendinitis) or the bursal sac (shoulder bursitis) underneath the acromion. Repetitive movements with the upper arm at work or with sports activities can then bring this on easier than in someone where the shoulder has lots of space inside.

X-rays will show whether the acromion is a type I , II or III type, where type I is normal and type III is curved down thus impinging the supraspinatus tendon. An MRI scan can show more details of the space, the supraspinatus and biceps tendon and the state of the subacromial bursa.

If the impingement test is positive during an orthopedic examination and the MRI scan confirms that, the orthopedic surgeon might offer shoulder decompression.

During this procedure often the outside part of the clavicle (the distal clavicle) bone is cut off together with the AC joint and a wedge is removed from the acromion to create space for the tendons and the rotator cuff mechanism. Often the subacromial bursa has to be removed as well. Following this procedure the patient feels better, however, the shoulder range of motion is usually 25% to 40% less than normal. In other words, the trade off for controlling the shoulder pain is a certain lack of shoulder range of motion with shoulder impingement surgery (Ref. 1).

There is an FDA approved non-drug method available, IceWave patches from Lifewave, which will control pain. This is mentioned in the book "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref. 7) where newer insights of antiaging medicine are also reviewed. Although the patches are placed over acupuncture points, there are no needles involved. Nanotechnology, a newer technology, was used in the manufacturing of these patches and infrared (heat) waves from body heat are utilized to stimulate an acupuncture point, which modifies pain perception and reduces pain to half or less. Medically this would be considered an excellent pain reliever. For more info on the patches see the IceWave patches from Lifewave link above (click "products"). In the US a 5 pack of the IceWave spray is available that can be directly sprayed onto the skin in the area where the pain is located.

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. ABC of rheumatology, second edition, edited by Michael L. Snaith , M.D., BMJ Books, 1999.

2. The Merck Manual, 7th edition, by M. H. Beers et al., Whitehouse Station, N.J., 1999.

6. Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics: http://www.wheelessonline.com/ Several topics can be found under this link by entering the term you search for.

7. Suzanne Somers: "Breakthrough" Eight Steps to Wellness-- Life-altering Secrets from Today's Cutting-edge Doctors", Crown Publishers, 2008

Last Modified: Nov. 16, 2008