Shoulder Tendonitis Treatment
The shoulder tendons, or rotator cuff, can be susceptible to injury and inflammation. The rotator cuff tendons are required to perform lifting and throwing motions with the arm. Overuse or injury can cause tendons tears and inflammation, or shoulder tendonitis. When shoulder tendons are inflamed, it can result in pain, restricted motion and shoulder impingement. Jonathan Glashow, MD, Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine offers advanced options in shoulder tendonitis treatment to relieve pain and restore shoulder mobility at our clinic in New York City.
Causes and Symptoms of Shoulder Tendonitis
Anything that irritates or injures the tendons in the rotator cuff can result in shoulder tendonitis. A sudden injury from a fall on an outstretched arm or impact in an accident can result in the inflammation of the shoulder tendons. Repeated or overuse of the shoulder can cause tendonitis. Irritation from bone spurs or osteoarthritis can result in inflamed tendons in the rotator cuff. Athletes in contact or throwing sports are prone to shoulder tendonitis, but anyone at any age can experience shoulder tendon inflammation. Symptoms include:
- Pain in the shoulder
- Shoulder impingement (difficulty raising, lifting or reaching with the arm)
- Swelling
- Stiffness
Tendonitis occurs when there is ongoing inflammation in the shoulder tendons. Resting the joint and use of NSAIDs/ice for inflammation followed by physical therapy can treat mild shoulder tendonitis after an injury, but some cases may need medical treatment. Cortisone injections may be recommended to reduce swelling and inflammation in the rotator cuff. In severe cases of shoulder tendonitis, surgery may be recommended to repair tendons or remove irritation that causes inflammation.
If you have ongoing shoulder pain, contact Dr. Jonathan Glashow for a diagnosis and treatment. We offer non-invasive and surgical shoulder tendonitis treatments at our medical facility in NYC’s Upper East Side.