Shoulder impingement syndrome, commonly referred to as swimmer's shoulder, is one of the most frequent causes of shoulder pain among athletes, active adults, and individuals whose jobs require repetitive overhead movements. Left untreated, shoulder impingement can lead to chronic pain, reduced mobility, rotator cuff damage, and difficulty performing everyday activities.
Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel is a fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine specialist providing comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for shoulder impingement syndrome throughout Rockford, Elgin, Crystal Lake, Barrington, McHenry, Huntley, DeKalb, Beloit, and surrounding Illinois and Wisconsin communities. Using advanced diagnostic imaging and personalized treatment plans, Dr. Van Thiel helps patients find lasting relief while restoring shoulder strength, function, and mobility.
Many cases of shoulder impingement respond well to conservative treatments such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, activity modification, and injections. When symptoms persist or structural damage is present, minimally invasive shoulder arthroscopy may be recommended to relieve impingement and restore normal shoulder mechanics.
If shoulder pain is interfering with sports, work, sleep, or daily activities, schedule a consultation with Dr. Van Thiel to explore your treatment options and begin your recovery.
Impingement syndrome, often known by the broader term swimmer's shoulder, is a relatively common cause of shoulder pain in people who lead active lives, becoming even more common with age. In many cases, shoulder impingement can be treated with nonsurgical conservative options, but in more complex cases or when damage to the joint structures is more severe, shoulder surgery may be needed to repair damage and restore normal, pain-free movement and function in the shoulder.
What is impingement syndrome?
The shoulder joint has a unique anatomical structure where the muscles and other soft and fibrous connective tissues are located beneath and between the bones that comprise the joint rather than surrounding the bones. Specifically, the rotator cuff, a collection of muscles and tendons that supports normal movement and function of the joint, is located between the upper arm bone (the humerus) and the acromion bone at the top of the shoulder. When the rotator cuff is injured or irritated, it becomes inflamed and swollen. In other joints, the swelling can be accommodated by the expansion of the skin surrounding the muscles and tendons. But in the shoulder, these tissues are sandwiched between bones, and even simple movements can cause painful tissue compression and decreased blood flow in the tiny vessels that supply the tendons and other tissues.
Over time, the tendons weaken and tear, and swelling and inflammation cause chronic pain that can interfere with sleep and other daily. In some cases, impingement injuries can be associated with rotator cuff tears, or tears may develop when impingement issues are not promptly treated.
Impingement syndrome is more common among athletes who use their shoulders for repetitive motions or weight-bearing activities, including people who play baseball or tennis and avid swimmers. People who do a lot of overhead activities in their occupations are also more likely to develop impingement syndrome, and the condition becomes much more common with age.
What are the symptoms of Swimmer's Shoulder?
Shoulder impingement causes pain when you extend your arms over your head or reach behind your back, along with a feeling of weakness in the shoulder. Your shoulder joint may feel stiff and there may be some swelling or tenderness in the area when it's touched. Painful symptoms tend to persist even when the arm is at rest, especially if you sleep on the side of the injured shoulder. Without treatment, these symptoms will become worse, and eventually, you may notice a loss of strength in your arm and the biceps tendon may become damaged as well.
How is a shoulder impingement diagnosed and treated?
Diagnosis starts with a comprehensive exam of your shoulder and a review of your medical history and your symptoms. X-rays or MRIs can help confirm the diagnosis of impingement and rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment typically begins with conservative options like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, ice packs and physical therapy. If these approaches don't provide relief within a few weeks or if damage to the rotator cuff or other structures is more severe, surgery may be recommended to expand the space around the joint, preventing compression and impingement of the rotator cuff.
In most cases, shoulder surgery can be completed using minimally-invasive arthroscopic techniques that rely on very small incisions, called shoulder arthroscopy. During the surgery, other issues like arthritis or bone spurs also may be addressed to improve overall function and movement in the shoulder joint. Once surgery is complete, you'll undergo a period of physical therapy to restore strength and mobility in your shoulder. Complete recovery can take about a year.
Schedule an evaluation today.
Shoulder impingement may begin with relatively mild symptoms, but without treatment, far more extensive damage can occur, both in the shoulder and in the upper arm. Don't let shoulder pain interfere with your life. Call Dr. Van Thiel with OrthoIllinois at to schedule a consultation and evaluation today, and learn how we can help you get back to the activities you love.
Why Choose Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel for Shoulder Impingement Syndrome Treatment in Rockford, Elgin & Northern Illinois?
Patients throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin trust Dr. Geoffrey Van Thiel for expert evaluation and treatment of shoulder impingement syndrome and other complex shoulder conditions. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with advanced sports medicine training, Dr. Van Thiel specializes in helping patients return to active lifestyles with less pain and improved shoulder function.
Reasons patients choose Dr. Van Thiel include:
- Fellowship-trained expertise in sports medicine and shoulder preservation
- Extensive experience treating swimmer's shoulder and repetitive-use injuries
- Comprehensive non-surgical treatment options
- Advanced minimally invasive arthroscopic shoulder surgery techniques
- Individualized treatment plans tailored to activity level and goals
- Focus on preserving shoulder function and preventing future injury
- Commitment to helping patients safely return to work, sports, and recreational activities
From diagnosis through rehabilitation, Dr. Van Thiel provides patient-centered care designed to achieve the best possible outcomes for shoulder health and long-term mobility.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome FAQs
What is shoulder impingement syndrome?
Shoulder impingement syndrome occurs when the rotator cuff tendons become compressed between the bones of the shoulder during movement, leading to inflammation, pain, and reduced function.
What causes swimmer's shoulder?
Swimmer's shoulder is commonly caused by repetitive overhead motions associated with swimming, baseball, tennis, weightlifting, and occupations that require frequent reaching or lifting overhead.
What are the symptoms of shoulder impingement?
Common symptoms include shoulder pain when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or reaching behind the back, as well as weakness, stiffness, tenderness, and pain while sleeping on the affected side.
Can shoulder impingement heal without surgery?
Many patients experience significant improvement through conservative treatments such as physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroid injections, activity modification, and guided rehabilitation.
When is surgery recommended for shoulder impingement?
Surgery may be considered when symptoms persist despite non-surgical treatment or when imaging studies reveal significant rotator cuff damage, bone spurs, or other structural abnormalities contributing to impingement.
What is shoulder arthroscopy?
Shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera and specialized instruments inserted through tiny incisions to diagnose and treat shoulder problems while minimizing tissue disruption.
How long does recovery take after shoulder impingement surgery?
Recovery timelines vary depending on the severity of the condition and any additional repairs performed. Most patients participate in physical therapy, with full recovery often taking several months and continued improvement occurring for up to a year.
