Shoulder tendinitis is an inflammation that appears in a tendon in the shoulder and can result in symptoms such as pain, tingling and difficulty raising the arm above the head.
This type of problem is more common in people who do some type of activity with repeated arm movements, such as swimming or painting, for example, but it can occur in anyone.
In the presence of symptoms indicative of shoulder tendonitis, it is recommended that the person consult an orthopedist or physiotherapist so that an assessment can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment can be initiated, which may involve the use of medication, physiotherapy and, in the most serious cases, , surgery.
Main symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Intense localized pain in the shoulder that can appear suddenly;
- Difficulty raising the arm above the shoulder line;
- Feeling that the pain has spread throughout the arm;
- Tingling in the shoulder, in some cases.
Symptoms of shoulder tendinitis arise as the tendon becomes inflamed due to repetitive movements and tends to worsen at night due to the muscles being stretched while sleeping.
In the presence of these symptoms, it is important that an orthopedist or physiotherapist is consulted so that an assessment can be made and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
Possible causes
The most common causes of shoulder tendonitis are intense and repetitive strain on the arm or even remaining for long periods in a bad posture, such as sleeping all night face down, with the head resting on the arm, as this position causes the shoulder tendons become more stretched.
Furthermore, the tendon can become inflamed and injured due to excessive use of the arms when lifting, which can happen due to the practice of physical or professional activities, such as swimming, volleyball, tennis and professions such as carpenters, teachers and painters, who are the professionals who most commonly suffer from this type of tendonitis.
How the diagnosis is made
The diagnosis of shoulder tendonitis should be made by an orthopedist or physiotherapist initially by evaluating the symptoms presented by the person and carrying out physical examinations. In addition, imaging tests such as ultrasound or MRI may be recommended.
Make an appointment with your nearest orthopedist using the following tool to assess the possibility of tendonitis:
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Stages of tendonitis
In some cases, the doctor may recommend imaging tests to identify the stage of tendonitis, which are:
- Phase 1: Sharp pain, small bleeding inside the joint and swelling. Symptoms worsen when making movements with the arms and improve with rest, and generally affect younger people;
- Level 2: The pain remains constant and the ultrasound shows fibrosis with thickening of the subacromial bursa and tendinitis of the rotator cuff or biceps brachii, and generally occurs between 25 and 40 years of age;
- Phase 3: Partial or total tear of the rotator cuff or biceps brachii, being more common after the age of 40.
Thus, from the moment the tendonitis phase in the shoulder is verified, the doctor or physiotherapist can begin the most appropriate treatment, and it is important in all situations that the person avoids moving the inflamed shoulder for a predetermined period so that it is possible to recover faster.
How the treatment is carried out
Treatment for shoulder tendonitis aims to reduce inflammation of the shoulder tendon, relieving symptoms and allowing the person to carry out daily activities without pain, in addition to preventing tendon rupture.
1. Medicines
The use of medicines may be recommended by the orthopedist to help relieve pain and inflammation, and the use of anti-inflammatory medicines is recommended. In addition, the use of an anti-inflammatory ointment may also be recommended, which must be applied to the entire shoulder.
In more serious cases, when even after starting physiotherapy there is no significant improvement in the pain, the doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection directly into the shoulder, which has a stronger analgesic and anti-inflammatory action.
See some examples of home remedies that can help cure tendonitis.
2. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is important in the treatment of shoulder tendinitis, because it helps reduce inflammation and promotes strengthening of the joint, helping to alleviate symptoms. Therefore, depending on the characteristics of tendinitis, the physiotherapist can perform some techniques such as TENS, ultrasound and laser, as well as exercises that help increase range of motion and strengthen the shoulder.
Recovery time may vary from person to person, however, in general, it usually takes 3 months of physiotherapy treatment to be able to carry out the movements without any pain or discomfort.
3. Surgery
Surgery for shoulder tendinitis is indicated when after 6 months to 1 year of conservative treatment, with medication and physiotherapy, they are not sufficient to restore movement satisfactorily. Surgery is also indicated when there is tendon rupture, pain and significant muscle weakness, but in many cases tendon rupture in people over 60 can also be treated only with medication and physiotherapy, and therefore it is up to the doctor to make this decision. .
How long does recovery last
Recovery time varies greatly from one person to another, as the severity of the tendonitis, the person’s age and adherence to treatment must be taken into account. However, on average, at least 3 months of treatment may be needed to regain mobility.
