Shoulder Tendinitis, Bursitis, and Impingement Syndrome
This is a very common condition.
Two types of tendinitis can
affect the shoulder.
Biceps tendinitis causes pain in the front or side
of the shoulder and may travel down to the elbow and forearm. Pain may
also occur when the arm is raised overhead. The biceps muscle, in the
front of the upper arm, helps stabilize the upper arm bone (humerus) in
the shoulder socket. It also helps accelerate and decelerate the arm
during overhead movement in activities like tennis or pitching.
Rotator cuff tendinitis
causes shoulder pain at the tip of the shoulder and the upper, outer
arm. The pain can be aggravated by reaching, pushing, pulling, lifting,
raising the arm above shoulder level, or lying on the affected side.
The
rotator cuff is primarily a group of four muscles that attach the arm
to the shoulder girdle/shoulder blade. The rotator cuff attaches the arm
to the shoulder joint and allows the arm to rotate and elevate.
If the
rotator cuff and bursa are irritated, inflamed, and swollen, they may
become compressed between the head of the humerus and the acromion, the
outer edge of the shoulder blade.
Repeated motion involving the arms, or
the aging process involving shoulder motion over many years, may also
irritate and wear down the tendons, muscles, and surrounding structures.
Squeezing of the rotator cuff is called shoulder impingement syndrome.
Inflammation caused by
rheumatoid arthritis may cause rotator cuff tendinitis and bursitis.
Sports involving overuse of the shoulder and occupations requiring
frequent overhead reaching are other potential causes of irritation to
the rotator cuff or bursa, and may lead to inflammation and impingement.
Doctor Andrea Furlan demonstrates 15 exercises for shoulder impingement, bursitis or rotator cuff disease. In the video she recommends the following products:
Causes of rotator cuff impingement tendinitis and tears include:
- Sudden trauma e.g. fall on the shoulder or arm
- Overuse of arm with improper form
- Poor posture: e.g. rounded shoulders or forward leaning head, muscle weakness
- Improper exercise technique
- Improper exercise choice
More on common causes of shoulder pain
