Tendinopathy or tendinitis in the shoulder
In both cases, whether it is tendinitis or tendinopathy, the management is similar. Therefore, we will include tendinopathies and tendinitis as being the same injury.
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What is the difference between tendinitis and tendinopathy?
The two are almost identical. Science has recently discovered that there is not always inflammation present in tendon pain.
"So when there is tendon pain without inflammation, it is called tendinopathy. When there is tendon pain with inflammation of the tendon, then it is called tendinitis."
In both cases, whether it is tendinitis or tendinopathy, the management is similar. Therefore, we will include tendinopathies and tendinitis as being the same injury.
What is the rotator cuff of the shoulder?
It is a group of tendons from four shoulder muscles: the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. These four muscles play an important role in shoulder stability. The muscles must coordinate well to allow the shoulder to make healthy movements.
What is a tendon?
A tendon is the structure that attaches the muscle to the bone. When a muscle contracts, the force is transmitted to the tendon, and the tendon stiffens to move the bones.
What are the causes of rotator cuff tendinopathy?
It can be caused by:
- Repetitive shoulder movements with the arms in the air
- Overload on the shoulder muscles (after a new sport or moving, for example)
- Inflammatory arthritis
Here are some classic examples of the development of this pathology:
- Painting the ceilings of our entire house with our arms in the air for a whole weekend
- Going on a week-long canoe-camping trip without being used to doing sports that require straining the shoulders
- Throwing a baseball for a full week at the beach in the south without being used to it
- Starting our volleyball, tennis, or badminton season without gradually increasing the intensity
What are the symptoms of rotator cuff tendinopathy?
The most common symptoms are:
- Specific pain in the shoulder that has appeared gradually (the pain is often in the front or on the side and can radiate down the side of the arm)
- Shoulder weakness and pain when lifting loads
- Shoulder pain and stiffness when raising your arms overhead
How is rotator cuff tendinopathy diagnosed?
Diagnosis is possible with a history of symptoms and a clinical examination. This injury cannot be seen on an X-ray.
When should you see a physiotherapist for rotator cuff tendinopathy?
You should consult a physiotherapist if you have symptoms as described above or if your doctor has already ruled out any other cause that may be responsible for your pain.
You do not need to see a doctor before consulting a physiotherapist. If your condition requires you to see a doctor, your physiotherapist will be able to tell you.
What physiotherapy treatments are available for rotator cuff tendinopathy?
Your physiotherapist will perform an assessment to determine the cause of your pain and limitations. To do this, they will evaluate the following elements:
- Your joint mobility
- The gliding of your nerves
- The quality of your movements
- Your strength and stability
Based on the assessment results, your physiotherapist will:
- Mobilize your shoulder to reduce pain and improve your range of motion.
- will provide specific exercises to increase shoulder mobility, reduce pain, and improve control of your movements and muscle strength.
- Teach you how to properly manage your daily activities and hobbies to optimize healing
- Give you advice for your posture and movements.
What can you do at home for rotator cuff tendinopathy?
Temporarily stop doing movements that cause too much pain, and then gradually start doing them again.
Here are some other tips to help you:
- If you have pain at night or morning stiffness, make sure your neck is well supported while sleeping with a pillow that fills the hollow of your neck.
- Avoid sleeping with your arm behind your head or under the pillow. Keep your arm along your body or supported with a pillow.
- Avoid sleeping on the painful shoulder.
- If you can't find a comfortable position for the night, use one or two pillows to support your arm.
If you don't see any improvement after 10 days, you should consult a physiotherapist.
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