Rotator Cuff Tendinitis – What You Need to Know
Rotator cuff tendonitis is a degenerative condition that affects one or more of the rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder. Rotator cuff disorders are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. Rotator cuff tendinitis is a degenerative condition that primarily occurs when the tendons and muscles that help move the shoulder joint becomes irritated or inflamed. This injury most commonly occurs among people who repeatedly perform sports activities (such as baseball or tennis) that require repetitive overhead motions. Pain management centers in Brooklyn, NYC offer effective treatment modalities that help address the pain and swelling associated with this shoulder condition.
What is the rotator cuff? The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint, keeping the head of your upper arm bone firmly within the shallow socket of the shoulder. These muscles work as a unit and stabilize the shoulder joint and help with joint movement. The four tendons of the rotator cuff muscles join together and form one larger tendon, known as the “rotator cuff tendon”.
What is rotator cuff tendinitis? Rotator cuff tendinitis (also referred to as shoulder bursitis, shoulder impingement or biceps tendinitis) refers to pain and swelling of the cuff tendons and the surrounding bursa.
What are the prominent causes for rotator cuff tendinitis? This condition may be the result of either a substantial injury to the shoulder or progressive degeneration / wear and tear of the tendon tissue. Repetitive overhead activity, heavy lifting above shoulder level over a prolonged period of time, and the development of bone spurs in the bones may irritate the tendon.
What are the common symptoms? The common symptoms of shoulder bursitis include – Pain and swelling in the front part of your shoulder and side of your arm Shoulder pain when moving your hand behind your back or head Pain that may be worse at night and cause sleep disturbances Loss of mobility and strength in the affected arm Clicking sound in the shoulder and pain when the arm is raised or lowered info@hqbk.com
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Shoulder and upper arm pain (potentially as far as your elbow) Arm swelling, stiffness and weakness
What are the risk factors? The potential risk factors that increase the chances of suffering a rotator cuff injury include – age, family history and sports.
How is rotator cuff tendinitis diagnosed? As part of the diagnosis, the pain management doctor will conduct a thorough physical exam and examine different parts of the shoulder, and move your arm to different positions. The physician will also test the strength of the muscles and check where you are feeling pain and tenderness. Several diagnostic imaging tests such as X-rays, Ultrasound and MRI scans (Magnetic resonance imaging) will be conducted in order to get a clear view of the muscles that will reveal tears or other injuries. With the clear image obtained, the doctor can confirm the diagnosis of rotator cuff tendinitis.
What are the treatment options available for shoulder bursitis? Multi-specialty healthcare centers offer a wide variety of effective non-surgical treatment modalities to treat these sports injuries. Initial treatment of this shoulder disorder involves managing pain and swelling to promote healing. This can be done by completely avoiding activities that cause immediate pain, applying cold packs to the shoulder 3-4 times a day, and consuming non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve). Additional treatment modalities include –
Physical therapy –Physical therapy exercises improve shoulder functioning, increase strength, restore mobility, and help patients return to their pre-injury level of activity. These include therapeutic exercise programs such as gentle strengthening, stretching and aerobic exercises.
Chiropractic care –Chiropractic treatment involves gentle manipulation of the joint and other treatments to reduce pain and improve function.
TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) - This therapy involves application of low-voltage electrical current for pain relief.
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Game Ready cold compression shoulder wrap – This method simultaneously applies controlled cold therapy and intermittent compression through a control unit to almost any part of the body through flexible wraps.
Trigger point injections – Administration of injections can address swelling and inflammation.
Surgery will be recommended only as a last resort, when patients don’t experience full recovery with these non-surgical treatment methods.
How Can Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Be Prevented? There are several ways to prevent the occurrence of rotator cuff tendinitis. Take active rest and limit strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects or playing tennis. Avoid movements that are painful, especially those that make you hold your arm away from your body and above shoulder height. Shoulder self-care includes -
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Maintaining good posture while sitting
Avoiding lifting your arms repetitively over your head
Taking breaks from repetitive activities
Avoiding sleeping on the same side every night.
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