Things You Should Know About Cuff Tendonitis And When You Should Treat It

By Tom Nicholson

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.

Treatment for cuff tendonitis depends upon how severe the damage is. You may be able to treat the injury at home by using ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and ice packs to relieve pain and swelling. Tears in the tendon may require surgical repair. In either case, the tendon must be allowed to rest in order to heal.

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.

Various forms of treatment for cuff tendonitis can be effective. Many individuals can regain the normal use of their arms and shoulders as well as resume their daily activities as they did before incurring the injury. For the elderly, healing from severe tendon tears and injuries may take a little longer.

Cuff tendonitis that is not allowed to heal properly can lead to bursitis, which is an inflammation of the fluid filled cavity of the shoulder. The function of the bursa is to lessen friction from moving tendons and muscles in the shoulder joint. When the bursa becomes inflamed, you will experience pain and limited arm movement.

You cannot really prevent the condition of cuff tendonitis, however, you can try avoiding repetitive movements that cause tendon strain, while building muscle strength in the shoulder muscles. You should also take care not to land on the shoulder while falling as you play sports.

Luckily, most of the time, cuff tendonitis is not serious although it may be painful and annoying. Many times, it can be treated at home. However, you should call your doctor if your shoulder pain is severe or persistent.

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