Impingement syndrome is the first stage of potential rotator cuff problems. Repetitive motion or the normal wear and tear of ageing often results in irritation of the tendons of the rotator cuff or biceps tendon (tendinitis). It may also result in irritation of the bursa (bursitis), a sac that acts as a cushion between the top of the shoulder blade and the rotator cuff, allowing the smooth gliding movements of the rotator cuff tendon.

These conditions are called impingement syndrome because the rotator cuff tendons are ‘impinged or squeezed’ between the moving head of the upper arm bone and the acromion. This results in inflammation and swelling of the cuff tendons.

Treatment

In most cases, tendinitis and bursitis can be improved with rest, ice and anti-inflammatory drugs, combined with physical therapy or other medication. In case the condition does not respond to these conservative measures, arthroscopic surgery may be used to increase the rotator cuff tendons’ space to allow them to glide freely by removing some of the lower surfaces of the acromion bone and clearing the inflamed bursal tissue.