Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

If you suspect that you have rotator cuff tendinitis and require treatment, resting should be your first course of action. However, keep the shoulder moving to avoid stiffness or prevent your shoulder from freezing up.

• Apply ice or heat to your shoulder, whichever gives the most relief from shoulder pain
• Take over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve). Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which is easier on the stomach and treats pain rather than inflammation, can also be helpful.
• Rest your shoulder and refrain from heavy lifting or over-reaching, as this will aggravate the already tender shoulder

Physical therapy

Your doctor will likely suggest physical therapy for rotator cuff tendinitis to help reduce pain and increase the flexibility of your shoulder. A physical therapist will teach you exercises designed to strengthen your shoulder. Do not become discouraged if you do not immediately feel better—physical therapy for rotator cuff tendinitis can take weeks to months before significant improvement is achieved.

Your physical therapist will teach you range of motion exercises that may include lifting a pole overhead. Shoulder pulleys are also effective in improving flexibility and motion. Isometric exercises, which involve contracting and releasing muscles, help maintain muscle strength.

Injections

In cases where physical therapy isn’t effective and other rotator cuff tendinitis treatments are needed, your doctor might suggest steroid shots in the shoulder. Though these shots are not designed to cure rotator cuff tendinitis, they can relieve some pain and inflammation, making movement easier and physical therapy more bearable. Your doctor may also suggest other injections to help treat rotator cuff tendinitis.

Surgery

Surgery is not usually suggested for treating or managing rotator cuff tendinitis. Doctors prefer physical therapy as the first course of treatment. However, surgery may be successful in younger patients whose rotator cuffs are in good condition. Unfortunately, our tendons may become weak and frayed as we age, so rotator cuff repair surgery is not often a viable option.

If a physician suggests surgery to treat rotator cuff tendinitis, there are two main types of surgeries performed on the shoulder to help improve movement and pain:

• Arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive surgery. It is performed by making small incisions in the shoulder and inserting a micro camera called an arthroscope and other small instruments. During this procedure, the surgeon will remove the inflamed part of the bursa, which lubricates the movement of the shoulder blade and the collarbone. Arthroscopic surgery usually requires less downtime and results in less pain.
• Open surgery is another option to treat rotator cuff tendinitis. The surgeon will make a small incision in the front of the shoulder, allowing direct access to the top of the shoulder and rotator cuff. The inflamed section of the bursa is then removed.

Depending on your physical condition, recovery from rotator cuff tendinitis surgery can take two months to a year. Your arm will be in a sling for a short while to reduce movement and allow the area to heal. Physical therapy may be scheduled since rehabilitation from rotator cuff repair is necessary to complete the whole healing process.