Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Impingement Treatment in Fairfax and Arlington, VA
Shoulder impingement occurs when the tendons or surrounding soft tissues of the shoulder become irritated or compressed during arm movement, causing pain, weakness, and difficulty reaching overhead. Treatment may include activity modification, medication, and physical therapy, while surgery may be considered when symptoms persist or structural damage is present. Dr. Robert Najarian, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in orthopedic sports medicine, provides evaluation and treatment for shoulder conditions in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia. Care is tailored to each patient's symptoms, functional needs, and treatment goals.
What is Shoulder Impingement?
The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint. The ball-shaped end of the upper arm bone (humerus) fits neatly into a socket, called the glenoid, which is part of the shoulder blade or scapula.
Shoulder impingement is the inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder joint. It is one of the most common causes of pain in the shoulder. Shoulder impingement is also called swimmer’s shoulder, tennis shoulder or rotator cuff tendinitis.
What are the Causes of Shoulder Impingement?
Impingement results in the young and middle-aged who engage in physical activities that require repeated overhead arm movements. The pain may be due to bursitis (inflammation of the bursa) overlying the rotator cuff or tendonitis of the cuff itself. In some circumstances, a partial tear of the rotator cuff may cause impingement pain.
What are the Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement?
Individuals with shoulder impingement may experience severe pain at rest and during activities, weakness of the arm and difficulty in raising the hand overhead.
Robert Najarian, M.D.
Dr. Najarian is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine. With additional fellowship training in sports medicine and more than 18 years of experience, he specializes in treating the knee, shoulder, and elbow, as well as all sports-related injuries. His area of focus is in the treatment of knee cartilage and ligamentous injury, shoulder instability and rotator cuff repair, and elbow injuries in the throwing athlete (Tommy John Surgery). He has been named a Washingtonian Top Doctor since 2016.
How is Shoulder Impingement Diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves a physical examination by your doctor, where your doctor checks for the possible range of movements with the affected shoulder. X-rays and MRI scans may be ordered to view the injury and inflammation.
What are the Treatment Options for Shoulder Impingement?
Conservative Treatment Options for Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder impingement can be treated with rest, ice packs, anti-inflammatory drugs and avoiding activities involving the shoulder. Physical therapy may be advised to strengthen the muscles and steroid injections may be administered if pain persists.
Surgery for Shoulder Impingement
Arthroscopic surgery is recommended if the rotator cuff tendons are torn and to remove the bony spurs.
Why Choose Dr. Najarian for Shoulder Impingement in Fairfax and Arlington, VA?
- Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon: Dr. Najarian is board-certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine, with expertise in evaluating and treating musculoskeletal conditions.
- Specialized Sports Medicine Training: His fellowship training at Cleveland Clinic Sports Health supports his approach to treating sports-related injuries and shoulder conditions.
- Individualized Treatment Recommendations: Treatment plans consider the severity of symptoms, shoulder mobility, activity demands, and response to nonsurgical care.
- Focus on Shoulder Function: Care aims to address the underlying cause of shoulder pain and help patients work toward improved movement, strength, and daily function.
- Convenient Northern Virginia Locations: Patients can access orthopedic and sports medicine care at Inova Sports Medicine locations in Fairfax and Arlington.
Shoulder Impingement FAQs
Shoulder impingement can develop from repetitive overhead movements, inflammation of the rotator cuff tendons or bursa, and changes in the structures surrounding the shoulder. Activities such as swimming, tennis, weightlifting, and repetitive overhead work may contribute to symptoms. In some cases, rotator cuff damage may also be present.
Common symptoms include pain when raising the arm, discomfort while reaching overhead, shoulder weakness, and pain that worsens at night or when lying on the affected side. Some people also experience difficulty with dressing, lifting objects, or performing sports activities.
Diagnosis typically involves reviewing your medical history, discussing your symptoms, and examining shoulder movement, strength, and areas of tenderness. X-rays may help identify bone spurs or other structural changes, while MRI or ultrasound may be recommended to assess the rotator cuff tendons and surrounding soft tissues.
Yes. Many cases improve with nonsurgical treatment, including activity modification, physical therapy, ice, and appropriate pain-relieving or anti-inflammatory medication. A corticosteroid injection may be considered in selected cases. The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms.
Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist despite an appropriate course of nonsurgical treatment or when associated structural problems, such as certain rotator cuff tears or bone spurs, require surgical management. The recommended procedure depends on the findings of the orthopedic evaluation and imaging studies.
Recovery depends on the severity of the condition and the treatment received. Patients managed without surgery may improve over several weeks to a few months with activity modification and physical therapy. Recovery after surgery varies according to the procedure performed and may require several months of rehabilitation.
Schedule a Shoulder Impingement Consultation in Fairfax or Arlington, VA
Persistent shoulder pain can make everyday activities, exercise, and overhead movements difficult. If shoulder impingement is limiting your mobility or affecting your quality of life, Dr. Robert Najarian provides orthopedic and sports medicine care at Inova Sports Medicine in Fairfax and Arlington, Virginia. Schedule a consultation to discuss your symptoms, explore available treatment options, and develop an individualized plan to help improve shoulder comfort and function.
