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Rotator cuff tendonitis is a fairly common sports injury, especially in people over 40. For that reason, cuff tendonitis is also known as tennis shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder, and pitcher’s shoulder. The condition is often the result of repetitive movement of the arm over the head like when pitching baseball.

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.

Various forms of treatment for cuff tendonitis can be effective. Many individuals can regain the normal use of their arms and shoulders as well as resume their daily activities as they did before incurring the injury. For the elderly, healing from severe tendon tears and injuries may take a little longer.

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.

Luckily, most of the time, cuff tendonitis is not serious although it may be painful and annoying. Many times, it can be treated at home. However, you should call your doctor if your shoulder pain is severe or persistent.

Tom Nicholson has spent years caring for sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. You can follow this link to find out more regardingcuff tendonitis.