5. Progressive pain
Pain is often ever-present in those with shoulder impingement. It will likely make it hard for you to accomplish even the most basic of activities including scratching your back, showering, or cooking. Any motions that involve reaching overhead — such as putting your coat on — could cause severe pain in your shoulder. As time passes, the impingement may even progress into bursitis or tendinitis — which is the inflammation of the bursa and rotator cuff tendons respectively.
If left untreated, the rotator cuff tendons could begin to thin and then eventually tear. This is why it’s so important to keep your doctor in the loop as you go through the treatment process. Doctors can’t tweak your treatment plan if they aren’t even kept informed on what’s going on during the recovery process. Good communication is the key to recovering fully and promptly. You should see your doctor once a week during your recovery.