Shoulder Impingement

What it is:
Compression of shoulder tendons (often the rotator cuff) under the acromion during movement.

Common symptoms:

  • Sharp pain when lifting arm overhead

  • Pain between 60–120° of shoulder elevation (“painful arc”)

  • Reduced range of motion

  • Pain during sports like swimming or lifting

A healthcare professional assisting a man with shoulder pain by holding his shoulder and providing support.
Diagram illustrating shoulder impingement syndrome, showing painful arc from 60 to 120 degrees and no pain outside that range. The inset highlights the shoulder anatomy with the subacromial bursa, acromion, supraspinatus muscle, tendon, and a pinched nerve causing pain.
Diagram comparing a normal shoulder with a shoulder experiencing impingement. The normal shoulder shows healthy bones, muscles, and tendons, while the impinged shoulder depicts injuries such as inflammation, trapped tendons, and bursae.