Tests for Rotator Cuff Tendonitis

Rotator cuff tendinitis is an affliction that primarily impacts people whose activities cause stress and strain on the shoulder. Repetitive overhead motion--such as that used by a baseball pitcher or tennis player, or by someone whose job involves overhead lifting--can play a role in developing inflammation of the shoulder tendons or muscles that make up the rotator cuff.

Primary Symptom

• The primary sign that there is damage to the rotator cuff is pain in the shoulder joint, especially when rolling onto that arm while sleeping. The feeling is usually a lingering ache and the shoulder can often be tender to the touch.

Secondary Symptoms

• Sometimes there is also weakness of the shoulder, but that is not always the case with tendinitis. When it is present, it usually intensifies as the arm is raised.

Definition

• The rotator cuff is a group of four tendons that control the shoulder joint. The tendons connect the bones of the shoulder to the muscles and each plays a unique role in the movement of the shoulder.

Diagnosis

• The primary test for tendinitis is a simple physical examination. The doctor will move the arm to different positions to test the impact of those movements in terms of pain caused or weakness. The doctor will also check for spots of tenderness. Sometimes, to confirm that there is not a more serious condition, a doctor will order an X-ray to check for bone damage or an MRI to check for possible more serious damage to the tendons and muscles.

Interesting Fact

• Because the rotator cuff becomes more susceptible to injury as we age, injuries are more common with older people.