Shoulder Tendonitis - Also Known as Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Tendonitis is characterized by an inflammation of the tendons, which are the thick, fibrous tissues that attach muscle to bone. Shoulder tendonitis, or rotator cuff tendonitis, is when the tendons that connect the rotator cuff to the bicep become inflamed. Shoulder tendonitis is often also diagnosed as shoulder bursitis because the two share the same symptoms and treatments. Shoulder bursitis is also known as impingement syndrome, and this term is also applicable for shoulder tendonitis because the pain is a result of the pinching, or impingement, of nerves between the rotator cuff and bicep. The most difficult part of having shoulder tendonitis is the fact that the pain may never completely subside. Because the location of the pain is in such a complex zone of bone, joint, and tendons, the chance of re-injuring or irritating the affected area is high.

Symptoms of Shoulder Tendonitis:

Pain in the shoulder area during movement, which may evolve into constant pain in the localized area.
Limited mobility and stiffness
Swelling and redness of the shoulder

Causes of Shoulder Tendonitis:

Shoulder tendonitis can be caused by a variety of reasons, but the most common activities that result in this condition are any activity that involves repeated lifting of the arm.

The most common causes of shoulder tendonitis are:

Repetitive shoulder movement – throwing, catching, swimming, and weight lifting are all examples of how you could develop shoulder tendonitis.
Injury – An injury to the shoulder could cause tendonitis that may persist even after the injury has healed.
Age – As we age our tendons lose their moisture and elasticity, and even minimal physical activity can result in shoulder tendonitis.

Treatment for Shoulder Tendonitis:

You should try to rest the affected shoulder as much as possible. Limiting your movement will allow the tendons to heal faster. You should also apply hot and cold compresses to the affected shoulder. To stop the pain, you can use over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen. If your pain persists for more than two weeks, you should contact your health provider in order to determine if there may be an underlying condition that is contributing to your pain.

The best way to stop shoulder tendonitis is to prevent it. Before starting an activity that may cause your shoulder region to become irritated, you can do some preventative stretching and there are some exercises that can actually strengthen the area, which can help prevent the development of shoulder tendonitis.

Shoulder Tendonitis: Also Known as Rotator Cuff Tendonitis