Musculoskeletal Condition · Glastonbury, CT

Shoulder Impingement

Pain when reaching overhead from tendon or bursa irritation: diagnosis-first rehabilitation and injection options with Dr. Paul Tortland, DO.

Written and clinically reviewed by

Paul D. Tortland, DO, FAOASM, CAQSM, RMSK

Dr. Paul Tortland, DO is a non-surgical orthopedic & sports medicine physician specializing in regenerative orthopedics and surgical alternative treatment. He is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) and Regenerative Medicine, Fellowship-trained in Sports Medicine. He became the first physician in the world to earn board certification in Regenerative Medicine in 2015. Diplomate, American Board of Regenerative Medicine (ABRM), 2015. Registered in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound (RMSK).

Condition

What is shoulder impingement?

Shoulder impingement means the tendons and the small cushion on top of your shoulder get pinched when you lift your arm. That causes pain when you reach overhead, put on a coat, or lie on that side. It usually comes from tired or weak shoulder muscles, not from one bad injury. Dr. Paul Tortland, DO, uses live ultrasound to see what is being pinched, then builds a plan that starts with rehab and adds a targeted injection only if it is needed.

Explore related conditions: Browse the Shoulder condition hub for related diagnoses and treatment options.

CARE OPTIONS

How is shoulder impingement treated?

Dr. Tortland’s potential treatment options: Dr. Tortland evaluates whether symptoms reflect rotator-cuff tendinopathy, bursitis, a tear, or another shoulder condition. For selected tendon-related pain that persists despite rehabilitation, he may discuss PRP treatment; the diagnosis matters because not every painful shoulder benefits from an injection.

Physical therapy and traditional care: Physical therapy commonly emphasizes progressive rotator-cuff and shoulder-blade strengthening, mobility, and activity modification. A clinician may consider medication or a targeted corticosteroid injection for short-term symptom control when appropriate.

When other care may be needed: Weakness after trauma, marked loss of motion, or symptoms that persist despite an adequate rehabilitation plan may warrant imaging or shoulder-specialist assessment.

Common questions

Questions about shoulder impingement

What causes shoulder impingement?

Rotator cuff tendons or the bursa become irritated beneath the bony roof of the shoulder, often from repetitive overhead activity, weak or poorly coordinated shoulder muscles, posture, or an underlying tendon problem.

What are the symptoms of shoulder impingement?

Symptoms may include pain when reaching overhead, lifting the arm to the side or reaching behind the back, often with a painful arc of motion and discomfort at night. Similar symptoms can occur with rotator-cuff tendinopathy or a tear, so examination matters.

What are the non-surgical treatment options for shoulder impingement?

Physical therapy often focuses on rotator-cuff and shoulder-blade control, mobility, and adjusting aggravating activities. Posture and movement changes may help. Medication or a targeted injection may be considered for symptom relief in selected cases, but rehabilitation remains an important part of care.

What regenerative options may help shoulder impingement?

If pain persists despite rehabilitation, Dr. Tortland may evaluate the likely pain source with examination and ultrasound and discuss selected injection options such as PRP. Injection treatment is not appropriate for every shoulder problem and should follow a diagnosis rather than the label “impingement” alone.