Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

What is rotator cuff tendinitis?

Rotator cuff tendinitis is a condition that affects the muscles and tendons that give you the motion and strength to move your shoulders. Tendinitis, also called tendinopathy or tendonitis, is the inflammation or irritation of the tendon. Tendons are responsible for connecting muscle to bone. Rotator cuff tendinitis is also known as impingement syndrome.

Four scapulohumeral muscles and their tendons in each shoulder make up the rotator cuff. They’re important for movement and maintaining the stability of the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint). When the tendons of the rotator cuff are damaged or swollen, the result is mild to severe pain in the shoulder, especially the lateral or outer part, which limits movement.

What causes rotator cuff tendinitis?

Tendinitis, in general, can occur in any of your tendons. But one of the most common tendons to swell and suffer fibrosis is that in the rotator cuff. Rotator cuff tendonitis usually occurs over time. It can be triggered by placing the shoulder in a single position for a significant amount of time. Sleeping on your shoulder is another possible cause of the condition.

The condition can also be the result of a shoulder injury. Falling on an outstretched arm can trigger this. Sports, jobs, and other activities that make your repeatedly rotate your shoulder, lift heavy things, or reach over your head can also put you at risk. People aged 40 and older are at a higher risk of suffering from the condition. There’s also the genetic factor: if a relative has shoulder problems or other forms of tendinitis, your chances of developing rotator cuff tendinitis will be relatively high.

Unpleasant feeling. Old cheerless gray-haired woman is touching her neck with closed eyes while expressing strong pain

Does rotator cuff tendonitis go away?

Initial symptoms that have been present for a few days may disappear on their own or with little rest. However, if the tendons are swollen or damaged and symptoms linger for weeks and months, treatment will be required.

How do you treat rotator cuff tendonitis?

Rotator cuff tendinitis in its early stages can be treated through pain management. This can be achieved by applying ice to the shoulders, taking a break from activities that cause overuse of the shoulders, and taking pain medications like naproxen, ibuprofen, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
You’ll undergo additional treatment if you continue to experience pain. Procedures include:

Physiotherapy: You may be referred to a physical therapist, osteopath, or orthopaedic specialist. This treatment method will involve continuous passive motion and stretching exercises during the initial stages.

Once the pain is under control, your therapist will put you through orthotherapy exercises to help you regain strength and range of motion in your shoulder and arm.

Steroid injections: If the above conservative treatment methods do not manage your rotator cuff tendinitis successfully, your doctor may recommend a steroid injection.

The injection will include a powerful anti-inflammatory drug like cortisone, as well as a local anaesthetic. This will help relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

Is surgery required?

Surgery will be recommended if non-surgical procedures are unsuccessful. Arthroscopy, which is a non-invasive procedure, involves two or three small, precise incisions around your shoulder through which the surgeon will insert certain instruments through the guidance of a camera. If there are other problems in the shoulder, open shoulder surgery may be carried out.

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