How long does it take to recover after a shoulder impingement?

How long does it take to recover after a shoulder impingement?

Shoulder impingements are common injuries that can take between a few weeks to 6 months to heal. In people with severe cases, this time can increase to a year.

Shoulder impingement syndrome, also known as swimmer’s shoulder or shoulder impingement, is a type of shoulder injury. It occurs when the rotator cuff, a set of muscles and tendons connecting the upper arm bone to the shoulder, rubs against the acromion, which is the top, outer edge of the shoulder blade.

As a person raises their arm, the space between these structures narrows. This can increase pressure to the bursa, fluid-filled sacs in the rotator cuff, causing irritation and resulting in impingement. Treatment options often involve rest and physical therapy. For most people, it typically takes a few months to recover from a shoulder impingement.

In this article, we explore shoulder impingement in more detail, including its recovery time, causes, and risk factors.