What Happens

• Shoulder impingement is one of the most frequent causes of shoulder pain in adults. It occurs when pressure is placed on the rotator cuff from the scapula (or shoulder blade) when you lift your arm. The RTC is a tendon. It links the infraspiatur, the suprasinatur, the teres minor and the subscapularis, all of which are muscles that cover the head of the humerus, which is the ball of the shoulder. All of these muscles work in tandem, allowing you to lift and rotate your shoulder.
  
  

Athletes, Age and Work

• Middle-aged people and athletes frequently suffer from shoulder impingement. Athletes are afflicted because they engage in overhead arm movements; applicable sports include tennis, basketball and swimming. Whenever a person engages in overhead activities that require the use of the arm or repetitive lifting, such as those done by painters, construction workers or wall paper hangers, this can lead to shoulder impingement. Weightlifters are apt to suffer from this condition if their lifting technique is poor. Mechanics, those who stock shelves, and electricians are also at risk for impinged shoulders. Sometimes shoulder impingement appears for no apparent reason.
  
  

Pain

• When the pain strikes, you will experience pain any time you try to throw or lift something or when you reach for something. The pain will radiate from the front of your shoulder to the side of your arm.
  
  

Outcome

• Shoulder impingement can also result in tenderness and swelling in the front of the shoulder. Your arm may become stiff and hurt even when it is not in an elevated position. When shoulder impingement is severe it can lead to frozen shoulder, which means the loss of motion in the shoulder.