Rotator Cuff Tendinitis/Bursitis/ Impingement

Rotator cuff tendinitis is inflammation and early deterioration of the rotator cuff tendons. Rotator cuff tendinitis can occur for a variety of reasons. Overuse of the shoulder is almost always part of the problem. In some patients, a bone spur under the acromion can rub on the rotator cuff leading to tendinitis or bursitis (inflammation of the bursa). When the arm is in the overhead position this can cause pain. This particular form of tendinitis is referred to as shoulder impingement. This may also contribute to rotator cuff tearing over time.

shoulder-impingement

The initial treatment for rotator cuff tendinitis is activity modification, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. If this is unsuccessful, an injection of steroid (or cortisone) around the rotator cuff can improve symptoms.

If pain persists despite these measures, patients may be candidates for arthroscopic surgery. This involves cleaning out the inflamed tissue around the rotator cuff (bursa) and removing any bone spurs that may be rubbing against it. This can be done in a minimally invasive arthroscopic fashion through small incisions on an outpatient basis.

ProOrtho Medical Specialties

Latest ProOrtho News

  • I need to work on my posture to prevent this pain

    Elevate Your Home Office Experience For Pain-Free Workdays

    Attention work-from-home and hybrid-work warriors! We get it—that relentless backache, the stiff neck, the sharp knee pain (where’d that come from?) and the overall feeling of being trapped in your own home office can be a real downer. But fear not, because here at ProOrtho we’ve got your back. Check out these simple tweaks to …

  • Osteoarthritis in Your 20s

    Osteoarthritis in Your 20s and 30s Is a Real Thing

    It’s time to break the age barrier on joint health, because osteoarthritis (OA) isn’t reserved for the golden years. And that’s not great news. In the dynamic realm of health, young adults can also find themselves face to face with OA, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention identifies as the most common form …

  • Hikers Look At View of Snow Covered Pacific Northwest

    Enjoy Your Favorite Winter Sports Safely So You Can Always Come Back For More

    Here at ProOrtho, we know the happiest people during the slightly-less-than-fair-weather winter months of Western Washington tend to be those who: (a.) fly to warmer climates sometime before June, and/or  (b.) thoroughly enjoy winter snow sports. Sadly, we’re not here today to talk about tropically flavored poolside cocktails or the joys of beachcombing (maybe we …

Locations

Business Office

Surgery Center

MRI

Stay Connected

A Service of Proliance Surgeons


We’re a part of Proliance Surgeons, a team of independent, physician led care centers dedicated to providing exceptional outcomes, personally delivered.