What It Is: Cuff Tendonitis – And When Do You Seek Treatment?

People over 40 may sometimes suffer from rotator cuff tendonitis, since it is a common type of sports injury. Swimmers shoulder, tennis shoulder and pitchers shoulder all are common terms for cuff tendonitis. You should know that repetitive movements, of the arms over the head as while pitching a baseball are often the cause of this type of condition.

The inflammation of shoulder tendons is cuff tendonitis and these tendons may become irritated and inflamed from misuse or overuse. Tendons may sometimes tear; you do not have to be a sports extremist to have cuff tendonitis. You can sometimes injure these tendons by turning over while sleeping or even landing on the shoulder during a fall.

Cuff tendonitis is classified as acute or chronic. Chronic tendonitis can develop over years and afflicts people who perform the same overhead motion repeatedly, like weight lifters and athletes. Acute cuff tendonitis is the result of an injury that stretches, tears, or ruptures the tendons in your shoulder.

A general weakness of the area, intensifying pain, intense nightly pain while resting as well as the inability of lifting the arm over the head or out to the side are all symptoms of chronic cuff tendonitis. Acute cuff tendonitis may result in muscle spasms and severe pain. Bruising can occur when the tendons bleed.

The damage of cuff tendonitis and its severity will determine the best treatment. However, you can use ibuprofen to reduce inflammation as well as ice pack applications for swelling and pain, to treat the condition at home. Surgical repair may be required for tendon tears. The tendon must have time for rest in order to heal for either acute or chronic conditions.

You can treat and prevent tendonitis with physical therapy. Strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff muscles may be prescribed. Another thing you should consider is steroids injections into the joint to help relieve swelling and pain so the shoulder regains full range of motion, when the pain of doing exercises is too painful.

The various forms of treatment for cuff tendonitis are generally effective. Most people regain normal use of their arm and shoulder and are able to resume the activities engaged in before the injury. Severe tendon tears and injuries in older people take longer to heal.

The inability to heal properly from cuff tendonitis may lead to bursitis, which is the inflammation of a fluid filled cavity in the shoulder. Bursa works to reduce the friction of the muscles and tendons in the shoulder joints. When the bursa is inflamed, you may suffer from pain as well as a limited range of motion in the arms and shoulders.

There is not a lot you can do to prevent cuff tendonitis. Try to avoid repetitive movements that strain your tendons. Build muscle strength in your shoulder muscles. Be cautious of landing on your shoulder when playing sports.

Generally, cuff tendonitis is not serious; however, it can prove to be painful and annoying. Unless the pain is continual and severe, you can treat it at home; otherwise, you should consult with a medical professional.