Impingement syndrome

Impingement Syndrome can be classified as external or internal:

1. External Impingement, which can be either primary or secondary:

Primary

• Is usually due to bony abnormalities in the shape of the acromial arch.
• Can sometimes be due to congenital abnormalities (known as os acromiale), or due to degenerative changes, where small spurs of bone grow out from the arch with age, and impinge on the tendons.

Secondary

• Usually due to poor scapular (shoulder blade) stabilisation which alters the physical position of the acromion, hence causing impingement on the tendons.
• Is often due to weak serratus anterior and tight pectoralis minor muscles
• Other causes can include weakening of the rotator cuff tendons due to overuse (e.g. throwing and swimming) or muscular imbalance with the deltoid muscle and rotator cuff muscles.  

2. Internal Impingement

• Occurs predominantly in athletes where throwing is the main part of the sport (e.g. pitches in baseball)
• The under side of the rotator cuff tendons are impinged against the glenoid labrum – this tends to cause pain at the back of the shoulder joint as well as sometimes at the front.

Symptoms of Impingement Syndrome:

External Impingement symptoms:

Primary and Secondary

• Pain at the front and/or side of the shoulder joint with overhead activity such as throwing, front crawl swimming.

Internal Impingement symptoms:

• Pain at the back and/or front of the shoulder when the arm is held out to the side (abducted) and turned outwards (external rotation)

Useful Products:

• Cold Therapy - apply ice or cold therapy to the painful area for 10-15 minutes per 2 hour period, to help ease pain and inflammation.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Impingement Syndrome