Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder pain is a common condition due to the number of components that make up the shoulder. The three main bones that form your shoulder are the humerus, scapula, and clavicle. And these bones are held in the shallow socket by your rotator cuff, making a rotator cuff injury the most common source of pain in the shoulder. Other sources of shoulder pain include:
Shoulder impingement, often called a pinched nerve, happens when your rotator cuff gets pinched between your humerus and scapula. Untreated, long-term impingement can lead to various stages of shoulder arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis, which is why you should see your doctor for treatment when you experience shoulder pain.
- Biceps tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Shoulder impingement
Shoulder Impingement NYC — SPIN Sports Pain Specialists
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The Shoulder Impingement Test
A shoulder impingement test is explicitly designed to target pain on the top and sides of your shoulder, which occurs when you lift your arm or rotate it out to the side. Your New York City team of experts may begin with palpitations, observations, and range-of-motion exercises to determine the extent of the damage. Then they'll move to one or more shoulder impingement tests that may include:
Hawkins-Kennedy Test
In this exam, you raise your arm about 90 degrees in front of your body, with your elbow bent. Your doctor then moves your elbow up while moving your wrist downward. If this manipulation causes you pain, you may have a supraspinatus impingement.
Empty Can Test
During this test, you lift your arm out in front of your body at a 45-degree angle with your thumb facing the floor, as if holding a can. Your doctor applies pressure on your arm while you try to lift it. Pain during this movement indicates a potential tendon impingement.
Neer's Sign
For this shoulder impingement test, you're asked to place your arm in the same position as the empty can test. This time, however, the doctor pushes your arm upward above your head. Impingement is likely if this test causes you pain or discomfort.
Do You Need Shoulder Impingement Treatment with Physical Therapy?
Rotator cuff tendons pass through a very tiny opening in your shoulder, leaving them susceptible to damage. Some of the most common causes of a pinched nerve include:
Physical activities demanding constant overhead movements with your arms, such as baseball, volleyball, and football
A weakness within your rotator cuff, as well as the muscles located in your upper back
Body and muscle changes due to years of wear and tear on the tendons and joints in your shoulder areas, which cause friction and tightness that can lead to pinched nerves
Tightness in your shoulder joint and/or muscles
Congenital abnormalities
Shoulder overuse
Any sport involving throwing a ball makes you highly susceptible to shoulder pain and injuries — so play with caution and protect yourself from harm.
Signs and Symptoms of Shoulder Impingement
Identifying the first signs of potential impingement helps you get the proper treatment as soon as possible.
The beginnings of shoulder impingement are mild and almost unnoticeable, but the symptoms become much more severe as the problem continues. Indications include:
Identifying the symptoms of an impingement ensures you quicker treatment and shorter shoulder impingement recovery time. Seek treatment as soon as the problem becomes severe. The earlier the symptoms are identified, the faster your medical team can begin treatment.
Ready to find relief from shoulder impingement?
Dr. Melepura's Midtown Manhattan clinic offers same-day appointments for evaluation and treatment.
Shoulder Impingement Treatment Options Vary
There are a number of shoulder impingement treatment options available. All result in either pain reduction or restoring mobility and function in your arm and shoulder. Initially, your New York City pain and sports team of medical professionals does not recommend surgery as an option. Other options you may be offered include:
- Rest and restricted physical activity, explicitly avoiding tasks involving overhead movements
- Anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen to reduce swelling and inflammation in your shoulder
- Shoulder impingement treatment with physical therapy is one of the most important solutions to help restore a full range of motion in your shoulder
- Ice alternated with heat
- Cortisone injection
- Lifestyle changes such as:
- Improving your posture
- Adding core strengthening exercises to your routine
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
Surgery's required only if all else fails. Shoulder impingement recovery time after surgery can take as long as six months before you can fully resume your previous activity level. Eventually, however, thanks to shoulder impingement treatment with physical therapy and your pain and sports experts, you'll be able to return to your full athletic competitions pain-free.
Real Stories from our Patients
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD
Double Board-Certified Pain Specialist
Meet Dr. Febin Melepura — Your Shoulder Impingement Specialist in NYC
Dr. Febin Melepura, MD is a double board-certified interventional pain management specialist and the founder of the Sports Pain Institute of New York. He completed his residency and fellowship training at New York Presbyterian Hospital / Columbia University Medical Center, one of the nation's leading academic medical centers.
He holds dual board certifications from the American Board of Anesthesiology and the American Board of Pain Medicine, and has treated more than 7,500 patients and performed over 5,250 procedures throughout his career. He has been named a Top Pain Management Doctor in New York and one of America's Top Doctors™ by Castle Connolly.
Dr. Melepura's approach to shoulder impingement is rooted in precision: identify the exact source, treat it with a targeted injection, and get you back to your daily life as quickly as possible.
Ready to Book an Appointment?
Same-day appointments available. Call (212) 621-7746 or book online.
What Our Shoulder Impingement Patients Say
"Able to make an appointment to see Dr. Melepura on short notice… attentive to my concerns… Jazmin was also very kind and helpful."
"Excellent hospitality, listener and explainer… highly recommend the doctor and the place."
"Dr. Melepura is the best! He worked with me to find the optimal solution to my shoulder pain while I was preparing for a fight!"
"Lovely, bright and modern… doctor and staff were kind… felt my concerns were heard."
"Helpful and friendly staff who gladly follows up with you if and when needed. Dr Melepura was very helpful and professional as well as provided me with excellent information and feedback."
"Dr Febin is fantastic! Highly recommend him and his practice the Spin clinic. The doctor is a good listener, kind, attentive and gave me great advice. "
"Dr.Melepura was very efficient and interpersonal, felt like he was understanding the problems I was having and explained the processes to take to rehabilitate. I would recommend."
"I felt listened to and truly understood by Dr. Melepura. Started PT the very next day. They were very friendly and I didn't feel rushed at all. Already recommended them to my friends who have or continue to play through pain."