Shoulder Impingement?

[level]

hopefully someone with experience has seen or come across this issue may be able to help me with this problem

the problem:
i've come to a point in the SS program that when i squat heavy my left arm begins to throb in pain, starting from the shoulder and descending. i lose the ability to tighten my grip or pick up anything for about 10-15 minutes (i.e. i unrack the weight like i only have one functional arm and i can't curl the bar). although the pain is still there, after some time, i can work through my sets. post-workout, the pain subsides after a few hours and my arm feels normal again.

some background info:
i broke my left collar bone twice about 10 years ago playing hockey. its relatively flat compared to the right side. and more recently, 5 months ago, i self diagnosed myself with a left bicep sprain using a reverse grip on a heavy DL. i don't think that is an issue anymore.

question:
has anyone come across this problem, and if so do you have any recommendations to remedy the issue (e.g. stretches, bar placement, rehabilitation exercises)? i think its safe to say my lifeless arm is affecting the rest of my workout/progress and i would like to fix the problem.

it just occurred to me while writing this that the bar may be impinging a nerve while sitting on my back. but if anyone has thoughts please share. any advice is appreciated.

thank you, ben

[TartanEagle]

See this thread.
http://startingstrength.com/resource...589&pagenumber=
This is a fairly common occurence.

[level]

thank you tartan

[level]

UPDATE:
in an attempt to make this post more useful for someone in the future, i think there is a solution to my shoulder numbness.

since lifting over the past year, i've noticed my left shoulder has greater ROM and, when flexing in the mirror for myself, the ability to wing my scapula. typically narcissism produces resentment from peer groups and represents underdeveloped portions of the brain, but this time it payed dividends.

checking and double-checking my bar placement, squatting continued to kill my left shoulder and arm. i was in a lot of pain. enough pain where I'd have to abandon workouts. with little else to consider in the way of form, i started thinking about my upper-back and i stumbled upon something.

the "elbows up" cue is intended to put one's back in a solid position to stabilize a barbell. regardless of what's causing my winged scapula, i noticed that "elbows up" did not put MY back into an optimal position. so instead of think "elbows up", to keep my upper-back flat i think "scapula down and in". if i am in the correct position, my back and arms will feel like they're at the top of a pull-up.

i've noticed there are a few benefits from using this cue. the greatest of which being no significant pain. but secondly, i keep a tight scapular retraction. and from what i can discern, the whole point of "elbows up" is to produce a muscular platform, which is caused by a scapular retraction. in a way, this cuts out the middle man - a stable, muscular platform is produced by a strong back, not well-positioned elbows. the elbows are just a means to an end.

lastly, and this is purely anecdotal, but it feels like my hands are closer to my shoulders. this may happen because i'm focusing on a scapular retraction and thus minimizing the distance between shoulders. regardless, when i have a narrower grip on the barbell, it feels like the system is more stable and i'm better able to handle any torque. in other words, i just feel more comfortable when there is a lot of weight on my back.

anyways, i'm glad my pain is gone and i can continue with strength training. but i know that injury is inevitable. i can only hope that someone may find this observation useful to work around any obstacle that may materialize so they can minimize their pain, save time, and achieve their training goals.