Subacromial Pain Syndrome
Subacromial pain syndrome is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. It is sometimes referred to as shoulder impingement, rotator cuff-related shoulder pain, or shoulder bursitis.
It can cause pain when lifting the arm, reaching overhead, lying on the affected side, or carrying out sport, gym training or manual work.
At Momentum Joint Care, we provide doctor-led assessment and ultrasound-guided injections for suitable patients with subacromial pain syndrome.
What is Subacromial Pain Syndrome?
The subacromial space is the area between the top of the upper arm bone and part of the shoulder blade called the acromion.
This area contains the rotator cuff tendons and a small fluid-filled sac called the subacromial bursa.
Pain can develop when these structures become irritated, overloaded or inflamed. This may be related to rotator cuff tendinopathy, bursitis, weakness, altered shoulder mechanics, training load or repetitive overhead activity.
The term “subacromial pain syndrome” is often preferred because symptoms are usually caused by a combination of factors rather than simple “impingement” alone.
Common Symptoms
Subacromial pain syndrome can cause:
Pain on the outside or front of the shoulder
Pain when lifting the arm
Pain reaching overhead
Pain reaching behind the back
Pain when lying on the affected side
Pain during sport, gym training or manual work
A painful arc when raising the arm
Weakness due to pain
Many cases improve with non-injection treatment.
This may include:
Physiotherapy and rotator cuff strengthening
Activity modification
Load management
Pain relief medication where appropriate
Gradual return to sport, gym training or manual work
Injections may be considered when symptoms are not settling, pain is limiting sleep or daily function, or pain is preventing effective rehabilitation.
Corticosteroid injections can help reduce pain and inflammation within the subacromial bursa.
A corticosteroid injection may be appropriate when:
Pain is affecting sleep
Pain is limiting work, exercise or daily activities
Symptoms have not improved with conservative treatment
Pain is preventing physiotherapy or strengthening exercises
There is evidence of subacromial bursitis or an inflamed, irritable shoulder
The aim is not simply to mask pain, but to create a window where movement, strengthening and rehabilitation become easier.
In selected cases, it may be considered where symptoms are persistent and other treatment options are not suitable, but corticosteroid injection and rehabilitation are more commonly used.
PRP may be considered in selected cases where symptoms are primarily related to rotator cuff tendinopathy rather than inflammation of the bursa alone.
PRP aims to support tendon healing and may be more appropriate for persistent tendon-related shoulder pain that has not responded to rehabilitation.
You may benefit from assessment if:
Shoulder pain has persisted for several weeks
Pain is affecting sleep
Pain is limiting work, sport or exercise
You are struggling to raise your arm
Symptoms are not improving with physiotherapy or simple measures
It is important to note that other shoulder conditions can cause similar symptoms, including frozen shoulder, shoulder osteoarthritis, AC joint arthritis, biceps tendinopathy and rotator cuff tears.
If shoulder pain is affecting your sleep, exercise, work or daily activities, we can help.
Following assessment, we will discuss whether physiotherapy, corticosteroid injection, PRP or another approach is most appropriate for your symptoms.