All About Tendonitis In The Shoulder

Having a tendonitis in the shoulder can interfere with the patient’s daily activity for several days. Sometimes, if the case is serious, it may take weeks to restore normal mobility and sufficient strength.

We speak of tendon inflammation when a tendon in the body is inflamed and enlarged. The affected area is enlarged by fluids. This also results in a person losing strength and functionality.

It is worth clarifying that a tendon is a fiber structure that connects a bone to a muscle or muscle group. That is, the tendons bind the muscle to the bone tissue to develop the intended movement.

A tendonitis in the shoulder , like other forms of tendonitis, responds to an overload of the anatomy due to intensive or repeated use. The problem with this particular joint is that inflammation often recurs here and patients should always take precautions with the joint.

More than half of all people will develop tendonitis at some point in their lives. This indicates the importance of the condition. Shoulder tendonitis is one of the most common.

Causes of tendonitis in the shoulder

Excessive force or heavy, repeated use of a tendon can lead to inflammation. In a tendonitis in the shoulder , the overloaded ball joint, which connects the humerus, the collarbone and the shoulder blade.

In the elderly, osteoarthritis should be included as a factor. When the joints become stiff over time, you often suffer from inflammation after less stress.

Not only the bones suffer from old age, the tendons also become atrophic and harden over the years. With less elasticity, it makes sense that a stretch leads to inflammation.

A special risk group are the athletes who use the upper part of their body during their training. The sports in which the participants are especially prone to tendonitis in the shoulder are, for example:

• Rowing
• Basketball
• boxing
• baseball

This is how the distinction between sports-related disorders and degenerative disorders arose. The former especially happens to young people who are athletes in sports that require a lot of shoulder movement. The last group are elderly patients with a history of osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of a tendonitis in the shoulder

Once a tendonitis settles in the shoulder, the first symptom is pain with certain movements. It doesn’t have to be big moves. Pain can occur with minor twists of the joint.

There is also tenderness in the affected area. It hurts to the touch, especially in the course of the most inflamed tendons. Tight 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 can mean that more pressure is put on it and the discomfort interrupts the rest. The best advice for patients is to sleep in a sitting position to reduce discomfort.

Functional issues may have the most impact. A shoulder with tendonitis cannot stretch or reach close objects. For example, it makes it difficult to:

• to prepare food

• Exercises to do
• to dress you up
• to tie laces
• And so forth

Therapy

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

Each patient has a specific plan to follow. An older person with osteoarthritis is not the same as a young athlete who has been injured during training. The possibilities for the future are therefore different.

The use of anti-inflammatories is at the discretion of the treating physician and patient. They will reduce swelling in the area, but if not used in conjunction with physical therapy, rest, and an ice pack, they will not be as effective. They are especially suitable for the onset of the condition, to reduce the pain.

Among anti-inflammatory drugs, there are two options: steroid and non-steroidal. The first are corticosteroids, which should be used on a limited basis in terms of days and doses to avoid side effects. The latter allows for more flexibility, but also has side effects related to the digestive system.

Shoulder tendonitis is different at every age

It should be clear that a tendonitis in the shoulder is different for everyone. Sometimes it goes unnoticed and does not affect the patient’s daily life. It can heal itself after two weeks without being noticed.

It is different for athletes, because they have to limit their training and activity. Office workers who sit at a desk all day also have problems, they cannot work because of the pain of the sitting position.

If you suffer from tendonitis, it is best to consult a doctor. He or she will then carry out some diagnostic tests and, if necessary, refer you to a physiotherapist to draw up an exercise schedule.