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• Information about the shoulder
• Rotator Cuff Tear
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• Subacromial Impingement
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THE INJURIES WE TREAT

Subacromial Impingement

Impingement is a common problem, particularly in active middle aged females. The injury results from pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade (scapula) as the arm is lifted. The condition is more likely to occur in people who engage in physical activities that require repeated overhead arm movements or whose profession requires repeated overhead lifting.

The rotator cuff group of muscles work together to lift and rotate the shoulder. The acromion is the front edge of the shoulder blade and sits over and in front of the humeral head. If the rotator cuff becomes inflamed, each time the arm is raised, the acromion rubs or ‘impinges’ on the surface of the rotator cuff. This causes pain and limits movement.

The popular perception with this injury is that patients simply have to tolerate the discomfort. A third of patients will fail to respond to physiotherapy treatment while Arthroscopic Subacromial Decompression surgery can be extremely helpful in appropriate patients.