Tendonitis In The Shoulder: Symptoms, Causes And Treatment

Having tendonitis in the shoulder can limit the patient’s daily activity for several days. Sometimes when the case is severe, it can take weeks before normal mobility and normal strength are regained.

Tendonitis is when a tendon in the body becomes inflamed and swells up because of it. The affected area becomes larger due to fluid. It also results in the person losing strength and functionality.

It is worth noting that a tendon is a fibrous structure that connects a bone to a muscle or muscle group. That is, the tendon binds the muscle to the bone tissue to develop the desired movement.

Tendonitis in the shoulder  is the result of an overload of the anatomy caused by intense or repeated use  just like the other forms of this injury. The problem with this particular joint is that it tends to recur and the person with it should always make reservations.

More than half of all people will get tendonitis at some point in their lives. It indicates the significance of this disorder. Tendonitis in the shoulder is one of the most common types.

Causes of tendonitis in the shoulder

Violent force or heavy, repeated use of a tendon can lead to inflammation. With regard to tendonitis in the shoulder  , the overworked joint will be the shoulder blade, which connects the humerus to the collarbone.

In the elderly, osteoporosis should be included as a factor. When the joints become stiff over time, it is easier to get tendonitis in the shoulder with less effort.

However, the bones do not only suffer from an advanced age. The tendons also shrink and get harder over the years. With less elasticity, it is logical that a strain leads to inflammation.

A special risk group are athletes who use the upper part of their bodies in their training. Rowing, basketball, boxing, baseball and other sports are more susceptible to tendonitis in the shoulder.

The distinction between sports and degenerative diseases has thus emerged. The first thing happens in young people who are athletes in sports that involve a lot of movement of the shoulder. The latter are elderly patients with a history of osteoporosis.

Tendonitis in the shoulder is painful and usually occurs due to sudden and repetitive movements.

Symptoms of tendonitis in the shoulder

When tendonitis occurs in the shoulder, the first symptom is pain with certain movements. It does not have to be large movements. Pain can occur with small twists of the joint.

There is also hypersensitivity in the affected area. It hurts to touch it, especially the most inflamed tendons. Tight-fitting clothing can cause irritation and acute discomfort.

The pain is worse at night because of the way we sleep. The way the shoulder is positioned means that there is more pressure on it and the discomfort disturbs rest. The best advice for patients is to sleep in a sitting position to reduce the discomfort.

Functional impotence is perhaps the most notable. A shoulder with tendonitis cannot be stretched, nor can objects reach close to one another. It makes it difficult to cook, exercise, put on clothes, tie shoes and much more.

For a young athlete, injuries are a problem when it comes to being able to continue training.

Treatment

Treatment of tendonitis in the shoulder is conservative in most cases. The goal is to avoid arthroscopic surgery and instead try to treat it with physiotherapy.

Each patient has a specific plan they must follow. An elderly person with osteoporosis is not the same as a young athlete who is injured during training. The possibilities for the future are different.

The use of anti-inflammatory drugs is at the discretion of the therapist and the patient. They reduce swelling in the area, but if not used in conjunction with physiotherapy, rest and an ice pack, they will not be as effective. They are appropriate at the beginning of the disorder to improve the feeling.

Among the anti-inflammatory drugs, there are two options: Steroid and non-steroid. The first are corticosteroids, which should have a limited consumption in terms of days and dosages to avoid side effects. The latter allow for greater flexibility, but it also has side effects associated with the digestive system.

Tendonitis in the shoulder is different for each age

It should be clear that tendonitis in the shoulder is different for everyone. Sometimes it goes unnoticed and does not affect the patient’s daily life. It can heal on its own after two weeks without you noticing it.

It is different for athletes because they have to limit their training and activity. Or an office worker sitting at a desk all day. They cannot work because of the pain when sitting down.

If you suffer from tendonitis, it is best to talk to a doctor. They will perform some tests for diagnosis and, if necessary, they will refer to a physiotherapist to be able to arrange the treatment.