Impingement syndrome is a painful condition that affects the shoulder, making it difficult to lift or move your arm. It happens when the tendons (or bursa) in the shoulder get pinched or irritated by the bones around them. This can lead to swelling, pain, and loss of movement. It’s also referred to as rotator cuff tendinitis.
Many workers develop impingement syndrome because of the physical demands of their jobs. If the injury happens at work in an accident or is caused over time by work activities, it should be covered by workers’ compensation. That means 100% of your medical bills will be paid for, all of your time off work should be compensated and eventually you should be able to get a settlement.
The most common symptom of impingement syndrome is shoulder pain, especially when lifting your arm above your head or reaching behind your back. The pain may start out mild and get worse over time. Eventually it becomes unbearable. You might also feel weakness in your shoulder or notice that you can’t move your arm as easily as before. In some cases, people feel pain even when resting or trying to sleep on the affected shoulder.
Work-related causes of impingement syndrome usually involve repetitive overhead movements, heavy lifting, or constant use of the arms and shoulders. Jobs that involve this kind of motion—like construction work, warehouse jobs, delivery jobs, painting, plumbing, nursing, and even office work that involves poor posture and long hours at a desk—can lead to this kind of injury. Over time, these repeated movements cause wear and tear that can result in impingement syndrome.
If your shoulder is in pain, you should report it to your employer and get to a doctor ASAP. The best type of doctor to see is an orthopedic Treatment for impingement syndrome often starts with rest, ice, anti-inflammatory medications, and physical therapy. In some cases, a doctor may give steroid injections to reduce swelling and pain. If the condition doesn’t improve, surgery may be needed to relieve the pressure on the tendons.
If you believe your shoulder pain is related to your job, we would love to help you. Employers and insurance companies sometimes delay or deny claims and say the injury wasn’t caused by work, especially if it’s a repetitive injury. Our state wide network of experienced Illinois work injury attorneys can help guide you through the claims process and fight to get you the benefits you deserve.
Contact us any time for a free consultation at 312-346-5578. We have helped injured workers with shoulder injuries everywhere in Illinois and promise to treat you like a family member or friend.
