Impingement
A shoulder impingement or subacromial impingement is a pinching of the tendons under the acromion.
Symptoms
Pain when raising the arm to the side and night pain when lying on the affected side.
Causes
Poor posture with "shoulders falling forward" can be the cause of impingement, as can a congenital narrowing of the space under the acromion (subacromial narrowing).
Therapy
Physiotherapy to correct posture, injections or shock wave therapy (ESWT) for severe inflammation. In cases of chronic symptoms or impending rotator cuff rupture, an arthroscopic widening of the space under the acromion, known as acromioplasty, is performed.
