Rotator cuff tendinitis

Rehab training for the injury

Rehab 1 – Rehab 2 – Rehab 3 – Rehab 4

Description of rotator cuff tendinitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis is inflammation of one or more tendons of the stabilizing muscles of the shoulder, and most commonly the primary inflamed tendon is that of the supraspinatus muscle. Often overuse or overload causes the injury, and as time goes on symptoms may also arise due to acute trauma. Supraspinatus tendinitis (inflammation of the tendon) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain, and usually is accompanied by a chemical bursitis in the subacromial joint cavity. Often impingement causes the supraspinatus tendinitis.

Symptoms of rotator cuff tendinitis:
  • Proportionally increasing symptoms.
  • Pain and soreness in the shoulder joint.
  • Decreased mobility due to pain (outer and forward movement and rotation of arm).
  • Often soreness in the shoulder / Neck region.
  • Often rotator-cuff weakness (especially m. supraspinatus).
  • Soreness during muscular activity.
  • Movement pattern can exhibit a lifting of the shoulder when attempting to lift the arm (showing a change in the upper and shoulder blade rhythm – often visible when the problem is exacerbated.)
Examination of rotator cuff tendinitis:
  • Analysis / inspection / palpation / movement test.
  • Shoulder blades and upper arm rhythm are observed.
  • Neck compression test for pain in arm or hand.
  • Supraspinatus test.
  • Infraspinatus and Teres minor test.
  • Subscapularis test.
  • Painful arch test. (60 ° / 70 ° – 120 °).
  • Drop-arms test.
  • Watch for atrophy of the shoulder muscles and posture.
Treatment for rotator cuff tendinitis
  • Rest during the acute faze – usually 2 days.
  • Cryotherapy (ice massage for 9 min).
  • Thermotreatment (heat).
  • Ultrasound (continual/pulsating) 3 Mhz, 1-2 W cm2.
  • Movement exercises on the 4th day (pendulum exercises etc. where the upper body is supported by a board).
  • Massaging the area of the scapula.
  • Rehab.
  • Scapula mobilization by a therapist.
  • Spacupreel (2 tabl. 3 g daily for 9 days).
  • Kinesiology tape
  • K-lazer.
  • Traumeel gel or tablets.
Rehab training for the injury

Rehab 1 – Rehab 2 – Rehab 3 – Rehab 4