Injection Therapy for
Subacromial Pain and Bursitis

What Is Subacromial Pain?

Subacromial pain describes pain arising from the tissues around the rotator cuff and subacromial bursa. It is sometimes referred to as shoulder impingement, rotator-cuff-related shoulder pain or subacromial bursitis. 

Symptoms commonly include pain when lifting or lowering the arm, reaching overhead, dressing, lying on the affected side or completing repetitive tasks. Pain may also extend into the upper arm and can significantly disturb sleep.

The term covers several possible presentations. Specialist assessment helps identify whether the subacromial region is the likely source of your symptoms and whether another part of the shoulder or neck may also be contributing.

Want to Learn More About Subacromial Shoulder Pain?
Read more about rotator-cuff-related shoulder pain, why symptoms develop and how rehabilitation can help. 

Learn More About Rotator Cuff & Subacromial Pain →

When Might a Corticosteroid Injection Be Appropriate? 

A subacromial corticosteroid injection can be helpful when shoulder pain and irritability are significantly affecting sleep, everyday activity or the ability to progress rehabilitation.

It may also be useful when symptoms remain troublesome despite appropriate activity modification, pain relief and exercise, or when reducing pain would make it easier to regain movement and strength.

Your specialist will consider your symptoms, examination findings, previous treatment and what you would like to get back to before discussing whether an injection is a suitable option.

What Does a Subacromial Injection Do? 

Corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine. When placed into the subacromial bursa, it can help reduce pain and irritation around the rotator cuff.

For some people, this makes sleeping, reaching and everyday movement more comfortable and creates a useful opportunity to progress rehabilitation.

The amount and duration of improvement vary from person to person.

 Learn About Corticosteroid Injections →

Do I Need an Ultrasound or MRI First? 

Not routinely. Many presentations of subacromial pain can be identified through a detailed history and specialist clinical assessment.

Imaging may be helpful following significant trauma, where there is marked weakness, when the diagnosis is unclear or where the result would influence treatment.

Where scans are available, your specialist will interpret the findings alongside your symptoms and clinical examination, as changes within the rotator cuff and bursa can also be seen in people without shoulder pain.

Injection Therapy and Rehabilitation 

Reducing pain can provide a valuable opportunity to restore movement, build strength and gradually return to the activities that matter to you.

Once symptoms allow, rehabilitation may address shoulder movement, rotator-cuff strength, shoulder-blade control and tolerance of work, exercise or everyday tasks.

Your programme will be tailored to your individual presentation and progressed according to your response rather than following a standard exercise sheet.

Specialist Shoulder Injections in Fareham and Gosport

Assessment and injection therapy for subacromial pain are provided at our Fareham and Gosport Injection clinics by Mike Gillingham, Upper Limb Specialist Physiotherapist.

Mike will assess whether the symptoms are genuinely consistent with a subacromial presentation, whether corticosteroid is appropriate and how treatment should be integrated with rehabilitation or further investigation.

Explore Our Fareham Upper Limb Injection Clinic →                                                                  Explore Our Gosport Upper Limb Injection Clinic →