SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT2P - PDF document

SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT2P problem you may have with your shoulder. The leaflet has been divided intosections, describing your shoulder, what we know about shoulder impingement Right arm seen from the sideArm bone an arch. See picture. The areaarch is known as the the roof of the arch.horizontal, the space is larger. Right shoulder seen from the frontArm bone space for tendon space. Unfortunately this is more likely as we get older. to tears. We do not know why some people are as DIY, pruning or hedge trimming in the garden, carrying luggage. This mayand the arc

h above, will tend to pinch and irritate the cuff. For example, if yourcommonly they develop gradually, as a wear-and-tear effect on the tendon. ThisExtremely! It is the most common problem of the shoulder. 20% of people willA classic presentation is of a painful arc on movement when the arm is liftedout to the side and up to your ear. This corresponds with the narrowing ofSymptoms of neck, shoulder, upper armdoctor. In addition tell them if you feelnerves in your arm. The Ôpainful arcÕ of movementarc by examining your shoulder. Sometimes an X-ray will be ta

ken, although thisonly shows bones and does not show muscle inflammation or wear and tear. However treatment is usually non-surgical, with a very small proportion ofshoulder has not responded to the following ÔconservativeÕ (non-surgical) SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT Non-surgical treatments (Ôconservative careÕ).in a year. If your symptoms keep returning, other treatment 2) Physiotherapyprogramme of exercises given. These may include exercises to strengthen themuscles around your shoulder blade, improve your posture, stretching exercisesand/or strengthening the rota

tor cuff. Although the exercises may be hard work,If you are unable to do any form of exercise because of pain, the physiotherapistmay offer treatments such as ultrasound and laser. It is difficult to prove thatThorough assessment of your arm, advice and exercises are probably more 3) What you can try Ð Ôself-helpÕ ideas Ð modify your activities.to reduce the stress on the tendon(s) so that your body can try and heal with the elbow twisted outwards. Try keeping up to the ceiling, so you are trying to clap begin with Ð however, with practice, it will feel mor

e familiar.your shoulder joint. Look in the mirror, is hurts? Try some shoulder blade exercises Ð try and gently In addition, try sitting with your arm by your side, with the elbow propped onappropriate stretchingprogressive strengthening exercisesanti-inflammatory cream or gelby these drugs). Change things! it is worth doing so now decompressionÕ (SAD). This is done by keyhole surgery (arthroscopy) and youare in hospital for a day. The operation involves cutting the ligament andExercisesThese are some examples of exercises which may help with your shoulderi

mpingement problem. The exercises should not be painfulOften a physiotherapist will guide you with exercisesHowever, in general terms, if you try the exercise on both arms and it feelsmuch more difficult, hard work, stretchy on the problem shoulder, it would beworth you trying that particular exercise. exercises listed below! Continue with the exercises which feel different on theproblematic shoulder, aiming to try and get rid of the difference between thetwo arms. Do the exercises regularly 1Ð2 times a day.Do not continue with them if the pain worsens. Redu

ce them by doing them lessoften or less forcefully. If the pain is still worse, see the physiotherapist or doctor.Shoulder blade exercises SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT Do not let your back arch, breathe!If one shoulder is lower, ÔsquareÕ it by liftinga towel or turned towards shoulder.2. Keep arm relaxed by sideLift shoulder straight up in air. Try and keep a gap approximately arm relaxed by side. Repeat 4 times. 7PSHOULDER IMPINGEMENT Standing close to and facing a wall/doorStretching exercises4. Overhead stretch lying on your backAim to try and get the upper armS

tand or sit.5. Cross body stretch.ke arm across your bodythe elbow. Try and keep your shoulder down. Thewith your shoulder. This leaflet is not a substitute for professional medical adviceand should be used in conjunction with verbal information and treatment given at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre.Comments will be gratefully received. Please send to Jane Moser, SuperintendentNHS Trust, Oxford OX3 7LD or give in at a clinic appointment.January 2004www.oxfordshoulderandelbowclinic.org.uk SHOULDER IMPINGEMENT INFORMATION FOR YOU Shoulder Impingement SHOULDER&