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Cuff Tendonitis - What It Is And When To Care for It

rotator cuff tendonitis is a common type of sports injury that many individuals over 40 years of age may suffer. Common terms for cuff tendonitis are tennis shoulder, pitchers shoulder and swimmers shoulder. Repetitive movements such as those associated with having the arms overhead, such as pitching a baseball can cause this condition.
by TomNicholson


rotator cuff tendonitis is a common type of sports injury that many individuals over 40 years of age may suffer. Common terms for cuff tendonitis are tennis shoulder, pitchers shoulder and swimmers shoulder. Repetitive movements such as those associated with having the arms overhead, such as pitching a baseball can cause this condition.

Cuff tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder area. These tendons become inflamed from misuse. Sometimes the tendons can tear. You do not have to be a sports buff to get cuff tendonitis. Sometimes you can injure the tendon by simply turning over in bed or landing on your shoulder when you fall.

Cuff tendonitis may be classifiable as chronic or acute. Repetitive overhead activities may cause the development of chronic tendonitis over the years, such as the movements of athletes and weightlifters. Injuries that over stretches, tears or rupture the shoulder tendons may result in acute tendonitis.

Chronic cuff tendonitis symptoms include pain in the shoulder that may become more intense at night, pain that intensifies over time, the inability to lift the arm over the head or out to the side and a general weakness of the area. Sudden severe pain and muscle spasms may be the result of acute cuff tendonitis. Tendons may even bleed causing bruising to the area.

Treatment for cuff tendonitis depends upon how severe the damage is. You may be able to treat the injury at home by using ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and ice packs to relieve pain and swelling. Tears in the tendon may require surgical repair. In either case, the tendon must be allowed to rest in order to heal.

Physical therapy is used to treat tendonitis and to help prevent it from recurring. Exercises are prescribed that strengthen the rotator cuff muscles. If pain is too severe to do the exercises, steroids may be injected into the joint to help relieve swelling and pain so the shoulder regains full range of motion.

The various forms of treatment for cuff tendonitis are generally effective. Most people regain normal use of their arm and shoulder and are able to resume the activities engaged in before the injury. Severe tendon tears and injuries in older people take longer to heal.

The inability to heal properly from cuff tendonitis may lead to bursitis, which is the inflammation of a fluid filled cavity in the shoulder. Bursa works to reduce the friction of the muscles and tendons in the shoulder joints. When the bursa is inflamed, you may suffer from pain as well as a limited range of motion in the arms and shoulders.

Cuff tendonitis is not something that you can prevent, although you should avoid any repetitive movement that may cause tendon strain. Take the time to build the strength in the muscles of the shoulder. Be careful not to land on your shoulder while playing sports or taking a misfortunate falls.

Although it may be annoyingly painful, most of the time cuff tendonitis is not serious. Most often you can treat the condition at home, however if the pain is severe or relentless you should consider consulting with your physician.

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