What is Rotator Cuff Tendinitis?
One common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis. Rotator cuff tendinitis occurs when the tendons in the rotator cuff become swollen or damaged.
If you or a loved one are experiencing shoulder pain, and you suspect it may be from rotator cuff tendinitis, it is important to see an SOS shoulder specialist. If left untreated, rotator cuff tendinitis can cause worsening shoulder stiffness or shoulder weakness.
What is Shoulder Impingement?
Shoulder impingement is a medical term that describes rotator cuff tendinitis. Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tendinitis are one in the same.
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Causes
There are many different potential causes of rotator cuff tendinitis. Rotator cuff tendinitis tends to be more frequent in people who are over 30 years old. Other rotator cuff tendinitis causes include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Shoulder injuries
- Falling on the arm when the arm is extended
- Repeated motions in sports or on the job
- Repetitive heavy lifting
- Repetitively reaching overhead
Additionally, if shoulder pain and other shoulder health concerns are common in your family, you may be more likely to develop shoulder problems, such as rotator cuff tendinitis.
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Symptoms
Rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms include, but are not necessarily limited to:
- Pain in the outer part of the upper arm
- Front shoulder pain
- Top shoulder pain
- Shoulder pain that gets worse when raising hands above the head
- Shoulder pain that gets worse when reaching behind
- Shoulder pain that disturbs sleeping
- Front shoulder swelling
- Front shoulder tenderness
- The shoulder "clicks" when raising arms above the head
- Loss of strength
- Loss in shoulder range of motion
If you or a loved one experience shoulder pain, or any of the above rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms, it's important to seek medical care from an SOS shoulder specialist. If left untreated, rotator cuff tendinitis could result in worsening shoulder stiffness or shoulder weakness.
To see an SOS shoulder doctor about shoulder pain and rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms...
Diagnosing Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
If you or a loved one are experiencing shoulder pain, it's important to diagnose if this could be caused by rotator cuff tendinitis. Diagnosing the cause of shoulder pain is essential for developing an effective care plan.
An SOS shoulder doctor can help diagnose if shoulder pain is caused by rotator cuff tendinitis. Rotator cuff tendinitis may be diagnosed through the following methods:
- A shoulder specialist performing tests on patient arm strength
- A shoulder specialist observing a patient as they move their arm in different ways
- An ultrasound
- An MRI
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Treatment
Effective rotator cuff tendinitis treatment will vary on a patient by patient basis. Common rotator cuff tendinitis treatment methods, which can result in shoulder pain relief, include but are note necessarily limited to:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Rest
- Regularly applying ice to the shoulder
- Applying heat to the shoulder once shoulder pain has subsided. Heat can help reduce shoulder stiffness
- Stretches as specified by a shoulder doctor
- Physical therapy
- Surgery, when necessary
SOS Can Help With Shoulder Pain from Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
The SOS team of shoulder specialists are experienced in helping patients relieve shoulder pain caused by rotator cuff tendinitis. Our team provides total orthopedic care for patients with rotator cuff tendinitis. An SOS specialist can diagnose and treat rotator cuff tendinitis.
To see an SOS specialist about rotator cuff tendinitis or shoulder pain...