Impingement: meaning, definitions and examples

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impingement

 

[ɪmˈpɪndʒmənt ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

medical condition

Impingement refers to a situation where structures in the body, particularly tendons and bones, come into contact in a way that causes pain or discomfort. This often occurs in the shoulder joint, where the rotator cuff tendons become irritated or trapped during shoulder movements. Impingement can lead to inflammation, loss of strength, and reduced range of motion if not treated properly. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for effective management of this condition.

Synonyms

compression, pinching, squeezing.

Examples of usage

  • The patient was diagnosed with shoulder impingement syndrome.
  • To alleviate impingement symptoms, physical therapy was recommended.
  • He experienced pain due to impingement while lifting weights.

Interesting Facts

Medical Terminology

  • In medicine, it often refers to when a tendon in the shoulder gets pinched, leading to pain and movement issues.
  • Knee impingement can happen when bone spurs press against cartilage, causing discomfort during movement.
  • Impingement syndromes can affect various body parts, including the hip and wrist, each requiring different treatments.

Physics

  • In physical terms, impingement can refer to particles colliding and affecting each other's paths, like in particle physics experiments.
  • The concept often applies in aerodynamics, where airflow can impinge on surfaces, affecting lift and drag.
  • In fluid dynamics, impingement plays a role in how fluids interact when they collide with surfaces, leading to changes in pressure.

Psycho-Social Context

  • In psychology, the concept can metaphorically describe emotional 'impingement' where one person's feelings or issues negatively affect another's well-being.
  • Social relationships can exhibit impingement when boundaries are not respected, leading to stress and tension between people.
  • The balance between personal space and social interaction can represent a type of impingement in navigating relationships.

Cultural References

  • The term is sometimes used in discussions about environmental impacts, highlighting how human activities can impinge on natural habitats.
  • In literature, authors may use impingement to symbolize conflicts, such as characters whose desires clash with societal norms or expectations.
  • Artists might explore themes of impingement in their work by depicting how external forces influence personal identity and expression.

Legal Framework

  • In law, impingement can refer to issues of rights, such as when one party's rights infringe upon another's, leading to legal disputes.
  • The concept is crucial in intellectual property law, where works can be considered impinged upon if copied without consent.
  • Cases involving property can also feature impingement, particularly when disputes arise over land use and ownership boundaries.

Translations

Translations of the word "impingement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 impingimento

🇮🇳 अवरोध

🇩🇪 Einschränkung

🇮🇩 penyempitan

🇺🇦 імпінджмент

🇵🇱 impingement

🇯🇵 インピンジメント

🇫🇷 conflit

🇪🇸 impingement

🇹🇷 sıkışma

🇰🇷 충돌

🇸🇦 اعتراض

🇨🇿 impingement

🇸🇰 impingement

🇨🇳 冲突

🇸🇮 upočasnitev

🇮🇸 árekstur

🇰🇿 қысу

🇬🇪 შეზღუდვა

🇦🇿 sıxılma

🇲🇽 impacto

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,309, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.