Tendonitis
Overview
Definition
Shoulder tendinopathy is an injury to a tendon in the shoulder. Tendons connect muscle to bone, often near a joint. Tendinopathy makes it hard to move the shoulder due to:
- Tendinosis—tiny tears in the tendon with little or no inflammation
- Tendonitis—inflammation of the tendon
Shoulder Tendons |
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SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Treatment
It may take weeks or months to heal. The goals of treatment are to ease pain and swelling. This may include:
- Medicine to ease pain and swelling
- A sling to prevent the shoulder from moving as it heals
- Exercises to help with strength, flexibility, and range of motion
Surgery
Some people may need surgery to repair the tendon. The type of surgery depends on the injury.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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All rights reserved.
a (Shoulder Tendonitis; Shoulder Tendinosis; Bicipital Tendinopathy; Bicipital Tendonitis; Bicipital Tendinosis; Supraspinatus Tendinopathy; Supraspinatus Tendonitis; Supraspinatus Tendinosis; Pitcher's Shoulder; Swimmer's Shoulder; Tennis Shoulder)
RESOURCES
Arthroscopy Association of North America http://www.aana.org
Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation http://www.canorth.org
References
Biceps tendonitis and biceps rupture. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/biceps-tendonitis-and-biceps-rupture . Updated February 5, 2105. Accessed December 9, 2019.
Derry S, Wiffen PJ, et al. Topical analgesics for acute and chronic pain in adults—an overview of Cochrane Reviews. 2017 May 12;5:CD008609.
Snyder GM, Mair SD, et al. Tendinopathy of the long head of the biceps. Med Sport Sci. 2012;57:76-89.
Swimmer's shoulder. Cleveland Clinic website. Available at: http://my.clevelandclinic.org/services/orthopaedics-rheumatology/diseases-conditions/hic-shoulder-tendonitis. Accessed December 9, 2019.
Shoulder impingement/rotator cuff tendinitis. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00032. Updated February 2011. Accessed December 9, 2019.