Subacromial pain syndrome

Subacromial pain syndrome results in pain felt in the top of the upper arm. This is usually felt when lifting your arm above shoulder height and typically develops gradually. Pain is usually worse when bringing your arms out to the side. Often the pain will decrease as your arms reach vertical. Initially, the tendon/bursa may only be painful following exercise e.g. it may be first felt on rising the day following participation. Stiffness and tightness in the shoulder may also be associated with the pain. Typically, these initial signs of rotator cuff tendinopathy are ignored, as they disappear quickly with use of the arm or applying heat i.e. a hot shower over the shoulder. However, as you continue to participate, the irritation of the tendon and bursa progresses and the pain within the tendon becomes more intense and more frequent. As you continue to participate, the tendinopathy worsens and your pain may begin to be present for longer periods until it is present each time you lift your arm. This may interfere with your performance and even become debilitating. What is it?