Gone are the days when a patient’s only choices when faced with nagging, worsening shoulder pain were to either grin and bear it or let it worsen further until going in for a costly surgery. Thanks to non-surgical treatments like subacromial injection, our team at the office of Angelo Mattalino, MD, can meet you exactly where you are, providing the relief you need to carry on with your daily life comfortably.
If you’re feeling a bit lost at the mention of “subacromial,” and/or if you’re not sure whether you would qualify for this treatment, consider this overview your guide to all things subacromial injection.
First and foremost, what’s the deal with the acromion?
What (and Where) Is the Acromion?
Take two fingers and trace along your collarbone, starting at the base of your neck and moving outwards towards a shoulder. Following the bone should bring you to the top of the “ball” of your shoulder. Press down firmly at the top, and you’ll feel a bony “cap,” or shelf—that’s the acromion. If you press down and continue to move outward, you should feel your fingers drop off of this shelf and onto the lateral or front deltoid muscle.
The acromion is a bony projection that comes off of the scapula (shoulder blade) to meet the collarbone, or clavicle. It is one of the two major sites at which the clavicle connects to the shoulder girdle (via the acromioclavicular ligament).
The area just underneath the acromion, or the subacromial space, is a bustling nexus of rotator cuff tendons and a specialized lubricating sac called the subacromial bursa. In other words, this is a “high-traffic” area that houses many of the structures and tissues needed to facilitate healthy shoulder movement.
How Does Subacromial Injection Work?
The premise behind subacromial injection treatment is fairly straightforward. In this treatment, a solution typically containing corticosteroids and anesthetics is carefully administered into this subacromial space. In certain cases, the subacromial bursa may be directly targeted—more on this below. The solution goes to work immediately, alleviating pain and inflammation associated with a range of shoulder issues.
As for the treatment process itself, the first step is to undergo an evaluation. Depending on whether or not you’ve been evaluated and referred by a physician, you may be tested to determine whether or not impingement and/or bursitis, as well as other issues, are present. Your general medical history, as well as the history and nature of your shoulder pain and other symptoms, will also be evaluated. Contact our team at Angelo Mattalino to learn more about what is covered in an evaluation.
When it’s time for treatment, you will first be comfortably positioned. Your provider may palpate the acromion and any nearby anatomical landmarks to outline the subacromial space. The injection site is cleaned, anesthetic (if applicable) is applied, and the injection is administered with a sterile syringe. After a brief monitoring period to ensure your skin responds appropriately to treatment, you are free to leave with your aftercare instructions.
What Issues Does Subacromial Injection Treat?
Considering the bursa, the tendons, and the bony tissue in the area, as well as the wide range of stressors that the shoulder is subjected to on a regular basis, it should be of little surprise that there are several conditions that can affect the subacromial space (or the shoulder at large).
These conditions include, but are not limited to the following:
- Rotator cuff tendinosis
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Subacromial bursitis
That’s a lot of insider terminology to cover. Here’s a more beginner-friendly breakdown of what these conditions are and how subacromial injections can help them.
Rotator Cuff Tendinosis
This chronic condition is characterized by degeneration and irritation of the rotator cuff tendons, often due to repetitive activity and/or aging. While tendinosis involves less inflammation than tendonitis, nearby tissues can still experience inflammation (not to mention pain). Subacromial injection alleviates both of these issues for a more functional, comfortable shoulder.
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
This refers to the impingement, or pinching of tissues between the acromion and nearby tissues, causing irritation. Usually, the pinching feeling is most pronounced at a specific point within the shoulder’s range of motion. By taking down the inflammation, subacromial injection can both provide relief and create more space for the tendons to move more comfortably.
Adhesive Capsulitis
Often referred to as a “frozen shoulder,” adhesive capsulitis is characterized by a thickening and tightening up of the joint capsule, which is a fibrous ball of connective tissue that protects and lubricates the bony ends of larger joints. When this happens, significant movement restriction and pain can result. Subacromial injections can help with both discomfort and inflammation in the area, making physical therapy and other primary treatment approaches much more comfortable.
Experience Quick, Yet Lasting Shoulder Pain Relief With Subacromial Injection by Angelo Mattalino, MD.
When it comes to shoulder pain, what starts out as a milder inconvenience can quickly evolve into a painful, functionally limiting problem. When left unchecked, shoulder pain and inflammation (along with the conditions that cause these issues) can significantly compromise your ability to perform at work and in your daily routine.
Our team at the office of Angelo Mattalino, MD, proudly offers non-surgical subacromial injection treatments to our patients across the Scottsdale and Phoenix areas. If you’re struggling with stubborn shoulder pain, we’re here to help with industry-leading techniques and technology.
Contact us today for a consultation and find out if a subacromial injection may be the solution you need to regain your comfort and independence.
