Health Network News

When a physician tells a patient that they have supraspinatus tendonitis, or rotator cuff tendonitis, as it is also called, most people want to know what they can do to help better the injury. While we will talk about some of the treatments available, let’s first look at this type of injury in a general way.

As you no doubt already know, rotator cuff tendonitis gets its name due to the fact that it concerns the shoulder, which is essentially made up half to three different bones (clavicle, scapula, and humerus), and a group to of four muscles - Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres minor, and Subscapularisto.

Indeed every muscle in this group has a job so that the ball joint in the shoulder stays secure inside the socket. When the supraspinatus tendon becomes injured, the issue is termed as being supraspinatus tendonitis, or what most people call, rotator cuff tendonitis.

Even though this condition flares up when playing many sports like tennis, swimming, rowing, and baseball, it can also come about because of certain kinds of jobs. As well, many older people experience this condition. Anyone that accidentally falls and lands on their shoulder can have the condition because of injured tendons.

One thing is for certain, and that is that irrespective of what causes the condition, the resultant pain can be excruciating at the best of times. Of course, if you do participate in a sport, supraspinatus tendonitis will almost always prevent you from playing until such time it’s been effectively treated.

In many instances, supraspinatus tendonitis can be helped without surgery, however if the tendon is badly injured, then surgery may be the only solution. Most of the time though, the problem is treated with physiotherapy combined with medication to lessen pain and reduce inflammation.

Before choosing surgery, the physiotherapist will try to help the condition by concentrating on strengthening the muscles around the damaged one to compensate for the one that had been injured. This may hurt very much because you may be given a corticosteroid injection. If you suffer from a mild case of supraspinatus tendonitis, then you can treat it yourself, but you should still go see your doctor about treatment and medications.

To a large degree, a lot of rest will let the shoulder heal itself, and while you are resting, make sure not to put any strain on the shoulder. While you recover, you may want to use ice packs and heat pads too. The ice will help with swelling while the heat will help to tighten muscles. While some exercise is vital, you should be cautious and not overdo it.

Be aware that if the injury is causing a lot of pain and it hurts to move your arm, then you must go and see a doctor straight away. This is because if the condition has progressed to that level, then help is usually needed.