Shoulder Impingement Treatment
The main treatment goal for shoulder impingement is to eliminate pain, which will restore the use of your shoulder.
Our team of UPMC orthopaedic surgeons will develop a customized treatment plan that may or may not require surgery.
Shoulder impingement treatment types
Conservative or nonsurgical treatments for shoulder impingement may include:
- Resting and avoiding overhead activities that irritate the problem
- Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Perform stretching exercises to improve range of motion
In addition, many people benefit from injections of a local anesthetic and a cortisone preparation to the affected shoulder.
If nonsurgical treatment does not relieve pain, you may need shoulder impingement surgery to remove the impingement. This will create more space for the rotator cuff and eventually allow you to lift your arm without pain.
Shoulder impingement recovery time
Nonsurgical treatments can take several weeks or months, allowing you to experience a gradual return to function.
Shoulder impingement surgery may require you to wear a sling on your arm for a short time afterwards. When your doctor feels you're ready, you can remove the sling and begin exercising and using the arm.
Every person is different. Achieving complete pain relief from shoulder impingement can take anywhere between two months and a year.