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What Is Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Tendinitis?

Shoulder pain and shoulder swelling is common in the Raleigh, Apex, Cary, Garner and Triangle population 40 years of age and over. There can be multiple causes for this shoulder pain. One common diagnosis is called “Shoulder Impingement Syndrome.”

This problem may also be diagnosed or referred to as “Rotator Cuff Tendonitis" or Subacromial Bursitis.

Causes of Shoulder Impingement or Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Due to the bony and ligamentous anatomy of the shoulder, structures such as the rotator cuff tendons, primarily the supraspinatus and biceps tendons, as well as the subacromial bursa can rub or be impinged against these structures when one elevates the arm. Shoulder pain and shoulder swelling will occur in the event these elevation motions are repetitive or occur under excessive loads or velocities.

What Are The Symptoms Of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis?

Most commonly the symptom of shoulder pain with elevation and rotation movements of the arm and shoulder are reported. Heavy loading of the shoulder such as lifting objects can recreate these symptoms. A common complaint among patients is limited pain free range of motion and strength. Acute cases report night shoulder pain which interrupts sleep. Patients often report the pain along the upper arm and shoulder with more severe cases radiating to the elbow.

Common Patient Similarities Subject To Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Those people who perform repetitive overhead work or athletic activities experience a higher incidence of rotator cuff tendinitis. This condition of shoulder pain and shoulder inflammation can occur at any age but is more common as you age. The Rotator Cuff Complex of tendons, due to a poorer blood supply over time, degenerates with age and is therefore more predisposed to shoulder swelling. From a bony construction standpoint, those patients that have an acromion bone that is shaped more like a hook (Type III) or a sub acromial bone spur combined with overhead activity levels are the most likely candidate to experience symptoms of impingement.

The diagnosis of shoulder impingement syndrome is most successfully achieved with a good clinical exam combined with X-Rays. It is ultimately important to achieve a complete diagnosis and ascertain the health of the rotator cuff and bursa tissues. An MRI scan may be required if your physician suspects any shoulder inflammation and internal damage of the soft tissue structures. If a diagnosis of shoulder impingement is made, it is most successfully treated by a regimen that is primarily conservative in nature.

For more information on how the rotator cuff tear specialists at Cary Orthopaedics can help you, contact us today at 919-467-4992 for an appointment!

Cary Orthopaedics serves patients from Raleigh, Garner, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Clayton, Chapel Hill, and Pittsboro, NC