Rotator Cuff Tendonitis What is that?

Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon. So rotator cuff tendonitis is inflamed r

otator cuff tendons and because these tendons are in the shoulder, is often call
ed shoulder tendonitis.
Because of the actions and position of the rotator cuff tendons, tendonitis is a
very common form of rotator cuff injuries. However the degree of the inflammati
on varies.
Tendons are not as elastic as muscles and are more susceptible to injury when st
ressed.
Tendons also take longer than muscles to heal because they have less blood suppl
y than muscles.
The symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis, when caused by overuse, are mild in the
beginning and gradually become more severe. One may not remember an incident th
at triggered the pain.
The pain is usually felt in the top and outer part of the shoulder and is often
triggered by lifting the arm above shoulder level. This pain may spread down th
e arm as far as the elbow and it is painful to lie on the affected shoulder.
In the gross anatomy of the shoulder capsule, ligaments and the tendons of the S
ubscapularis, Supraspinatus, and Infraspinatus muscles the tendons splay out to
form a common insertion on the humerus.
The biceps tendon was ensheathed by fibers from the Subscapularis and Supraspina
tus tendons. Thick tissue from the coracohumeral ligament covers the anterior ma
rgin and bursal surface of the Supraspinatus tendon. Also fibers from the coraco
humeral and glenohumeral ligaments concentrate between the capsule and the tendo
ns of the cuff.
That means there are differing portions of tissue very close and even joining, s
o if one portion gets inflamed the inflammation can quickly spread to the other
portions. So a simple rotator cuff tendonitis, if not treated quickly, can sprea
d to other portions of the shoulder. If the bursa is inflamed it is called shoul
der bursitis.
In Very acute Inflammation the tissues get so hot and painful it is impossible t
o move the arm away from the side because of the Pain. This is called a Frozen S
houlder.
Treatment to start is rest then ice or cold packs and anti-inflammatory medicati
on.
As it settles a Therapist may use ultrasound therapy; gentle sound-wave vibratio
ns to warm deep tissues and improve blood flow.
Then gentle rotator cuff exercises will be shown.
Resources: <a href="http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2806234
">Rotator Cuff Impingement</a>
Resources: <a href="http://www.rotatorcuffinjuries.net/">Rotator Cuff Ultrasonog
raphy</a>