The 7 most common rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms

The shoulder is the most complex and mobile joint in the body and is capable of more than 180 degrees of motion. It helps your movement in the completion of many daily activities. Due to the shoulder being involved in so much movement, it is likely you will suffer from shoulder pain at some point of your life.

In fact, research shows that up to 26% of people suffer from shoulder pain at any given time. One common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinitis.

What is rotator cuff tendinitis?

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles that stabilize the shoulder and allow it to move. Without the rotator cuff, you wouldn’t be able to lift your arm very high from your side. The good news is most people with rotator cuff tendinitis can regain full function of their arm without pain.

Rotator cuff tendinitis is a common shoulder injury, but it’s most common in athletes and those who do repetitive motions. This condition occurs when the tendons and muscles rub against the bones in your shoulder. It is the third most common musculoskeletal complaint.

Athletes most at risk for developing it are swimmers, pitchers, rowers, wrestlers and tennis players. Painters are also at risk of developing this issue due to the repetitive motions they do, such as raising their arms over their head. Your risk of developing rotator cuff tendinitis increases with age. In your 20s, your risk is low, in the 5% to 10% range. This chance drastically rises to 60% to 65% when you’re 80 years old or older.

What are the 7 top symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis?

Symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis typically worsen over time. A diagnosis will be confirmed by your doctor. A doctor will examine your shoulder, test your range of motion, and possibly order imaging to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other conditions.

Seven of the most common symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis are:

Pain in the shoulder.
Swelling in the shoulder.
Limited range of motion in the shoulder and arm.
Reduced strength in the arm.
Clicking sound in the shoulder when moving.
Increased pain when raising the arm.
Stiffness in the shoulder.

What are the causes of rotator cuff tendinitis?

Rotator cuff tendinitis can occur over time as a result of keeping your shoulder in one position for too long, such as sleeping on the same side every night. It can also be caused by doing activities involving lifting your arms over your head repeatedly and repetitively. Further causes can include a traumatic injury due to falling on your arm, poor posture, or repeatedly lifting heavy objects.

How can physical therapy help someone with rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms?

You don’t have to deal with pain on your own. Trying to deal with pain on your own could lead to you suffering longer than necessary. A physical therapist can help treat your shoulder effectively, which can lead to pain relief and improved mobility and strength. These specialists can treat your condition by creating a personalized treatment plan for you. Some goals of your plan may include helping you return to your normal everyday activities, reducing your symptoms and helping to prevent future shoulder injuries.

What specifically can be done during PT to ease someone’s symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis?

Dry needling — Dry needling is a medical technique performed by skilled physical therapists used to immediately reduce pain, reduce muscle tension and enhance shoulder mobility.
Manual therapy — Hands-on, or manual therapy, techniques are used by physical therapists to reduce pain and boost flexibility. These techniques involve a therapist using their hands to manipulate joints and knead muscles.

Strengthening exercises — Your PT exercise program may contain exercises intended to boost shoulder strength. These exercises are often performed with heavy resistance and fewer repetitions. You should do them as often as your physical therapist recommends for best results.
Endurance exercises — Endurance exercises are intended to engage large muscle groups over long periods of time. You should do them as often as your physical therapist recommends for best results.
Flexibility exercises — Stretching and passive exercises are designed to restore your range of motion and ease your pain. Your physical therapist can create a stretching program for you. Typically, this program will gradually increase how often and long you’re doing flexibility exercises to avoid worsening your injury.
Ergonomics training — A physical therapist can help educate you on certain strategies to implement at your home or place of work that can drastically decrease the risk of sustaining injuries.
Sport-specific therapy — A physical therapist will help you with sport-specific exercises and therapy methods to help prevent the injury from occurring again in your athletic endeavors.

Your physical therapist may also instruct you in exercises and protocols to be completed at home to help enhance your recovery. It is important to follow all guidance from your doctor and your physical therapist to help prevent your condition from worsening.

What can happen to someone’s rotator cuff tendinitis symptoms if left untreated?

As discussed above, because rotator cuff tendinitis is caused by repetitive motions that place stress on the tendons of the shoulder, if it is left unaddressed, the condition can worsen. When left untreated, it has the potential of leading to a torn tendon. Torn tendons can cause even more pain than an inflamed one and will require more extensive treatment. Thus, it is best to seek treatment when symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis first appear to prevent your pain from worsening or leading to a more serious shoulder issue.

SSOR can help you recover from rotator cuff tendinitis and can help prevent it from worsening

Get the treatment you need to be on the path to recovery here at Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation. We strive to supply the best hands-on care. Our treatment plans are as unique as the individual who walks into one of our clinics, and our experienced, licensed physical therapists have the skills to help you recover from rotator cuff tendinitis and its symptoms.

We value patient education, evidence-based outcomes and maintaining an atmosphere of empathy. Our team is here to help you reduce pain and work to improve your rotator cuff tendinitis.