What is Rotator Cuff Tendonitis/Tendinitis?
Rotator cuff tendonitis (or tendinitis) is injury to the
tendons of the rotator cuff. These tendon injuries are now known as a rotator cuff tendinopathy.
What Causes Rotator Cuff Tendonitis?
The shoulder is a complex joint
where several bones, muscles, and ligaments connect the upper extremity
to the chest.
A bony hood (acromion) covers the top of your rotator cuff tendons,
and the subacomial bursa helps to protects these tendons.
Normally, these tendons slide effortlessly within this space.
In some people this space becomes too narrow for normal motion, and the
tendons and bursa become inflamed. Inflammation leads to thickening of
the tendons and bursa, and contributes to the loss of space in this
location. Eventually, this space becomes too narrow to accommodate the
tendons and the bursa, and every time these structures move between the
bones they are pinched--this is why the condition is called impingement
syndrome.
Specific damage to the rotator cuff tendons is know as Rotator Cuff Tendonitis. It can also be associated with several other strucres being injured simultaneoulsy.
What Can Be Done About Rotator Cuff Tendonitis?
Physiotherapy
management is the best solution for short-term and long-term relief.
Treatment is ultimately aimed at preventing a future or larger rotator
cuff calcification or tear.
You should have your shoulder accurately assessed and
treated by a sports or musculoskeletal physiotherapist who will use a variety or treatment
modalities in the clinic and provide you with the best treatment.
After your assessment, they'll treat you in the clinic and then advise you how to solve the problem at home.
When Should You Start Physiotherapy?
Start physiotherapy as soon as possible for an accurate diagnosis and treatment to avoid complications such as bursitis, rotator cuff tears or calcific tendonitis.
Common Treatments for Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Avoid aggravating activities which are causing pain and symptoms in your shoulder.
- The
commencement of a strengthening program using resistance bands,
stretching and massage program for the tendons and muscles which
support the shoulder
- Anti-inflammatory gels or tablets, steroid or local anaesthetic injections in the area of the tendons.
- Shoulder taping or braces to support the shoulder as the tendon heals.
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What's Your Prognosis?
Unfortunately, in some people's case due to the nature of their work,
avoidance of the aggravating activity is not possible. If you are one
of these people and you are to continue in your current employment, you
maybe have to accept the fact that you will have some long-term
problems with this shoulder. You may benefit from physiotherapy or
surgical intervention, but eliminating the injuring task should be a
priority.
In most people's cases however, early physiotherapy and
anti-inflammatory treatment usually results in a decrease in
inflammation. This is enough to prevent the tendons from repeatedly
rubbing against the overlying bone.
Conservative (non-operative) treatment will improve roughly 90% of all
shoulder problems within a few weeks.
What Should You Do Now?
- Seek the advice of your physiotherapist or doctor.
- A shoulder brace or taping may assist your pain and rest some of your muscles.
- Perform
the rotator cuff exercises recommended by your physiotherapist. It is
important that you consult a physio with a special interest in
shoulders who is up-to-date with the latest in exercise prescription.
The research in this area is constantly changing which exercises are
best for you … and importantly which ones will harm you.
- If non-operative treatment fails, cortisone injection or surgery are options that usually delivers extremely beneficial results.
FAQs about Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
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