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$Title{What is a "Rotator Cuff Tendonitis"?}
$Subject{rotator cuff tendonitis accident accidents injury injuries strain
strains Musculoskeletal System Connective Tissue tissues shoulder joint joints
humerus scapular inflammation tendon tendons muscle muscles tear tears}
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Anatomy of the Shoulder*0006501.scf
Bones and Muscles of the Shoulder*0015001.scf
Bones and Ligaments of the Shoulder*0015002.scf
Bones of the Shoulder*0015801.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What is a "Rotator Cuff Tendonitis"?


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QUESTION:  This information is extremely important to me, and though I realize
you cannot respond to all inquiries I hope you can respond to my inquiry.
What is a "Rotator Cuff Tendonitis" and are there any objective medical
findings for this condition?

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ANSWER:  The question is a frequent enough one and most appropriate during the
football season.  The shoulder is a wonderful joint, as it has the capacity to
move in many directions, including the ability to swing in an overhead
movement.  It is this motion that is blamed for most of the injuries that
occur.  The head of the humerus (upper arm bone) fits into a narrow cup
located in the scapular (shoulder bone).  It is the tendons and muscles
attached to these bones that keep the arm in place, and are prone to the
injuries and strains that occur with repeated overhead arm movements, such as
performed by quarterbacks, baseball players, tennis players and swimmers.  An
injury can range from a mild tendonitis, where there is an inflammation in the
tendons that make up the cuff-like tendon attachments of the bones and which
surround the shoulder joint, to a severe tear in the tendons.  The first sign
of the problem is pain or tenderness, frequently referred to as just a "sore
shoulder", but when both the range of motion and the power of the arm become
limited, remedial treatment must be initiated at once.  There is some
controversy among those who treat professional athletes, with some advocating
conservative treatment, exercise and physiotherapy first, while others believe
that surgery is indicated at once to repair any tears.  X-rays, magnetic
resonance imaging and arthroscopic examinations may all be used to evaluate
the extent of the injury and aid in the development of a treatment plan,
calculated to restore motion and strength to the arm as rapidly as possible.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.