James C. Cassandra, D.O.
Orthopedic Hand & Elbow Surgeon
Chronic shoulder pain and stiffness may be due to tendonitis, an inflammatory repetitive use injury.
The shoulder experts at OrthoNeuro in Columbus, Ohio, can diagnose and treat this uncomfortable and disruptive injury.
Your tendons are the thick bands of connective tissue that connect your muscles to your bones.
Tendonitis is a painful repetitive use condition that causes micro-tears in the connective tissue, leading to inflammation, pain, and stiffness.
Tendinopathy, also called tendinosis, causes similar symptoms. However, it develops as the collagen in your tendon breaks down.
Tendonitis is a repetitive use injury that causes inflammation in your tendons.
It’s common among athletes, especially swimmers, baseball players, and people who participate in racket sports, such as tennis.
Repetitive movements such as swimming strokes, pitches, and tennis or golf swings can irritate your shoulder tendons.
You use your shoulders far more than you might realize, and shoulder pain can significantly interfere with your life.
You use your shoulders far more than you might realize, and shoulder pain can significantly interfere with your life.
Many injuries and degenerative conditions can affect your shoulder joint.
Getting an accurate diagnosis from one of the experts at OrthoNeuro is a critical first step in finding the proper treatment.
After reviewing your symptoms and medical history, your healthcare provider will use extensive physical exams and testing, including X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to identify the root cause of your pain.
Shoulder tendonitis can go away on its own with appropriate self-care measures.
However, it’s unlikely that you will adequately rest your shoulder enough for complete recovery without medical intervention.
You may be tempted to return to your regular activities too quickly, leading to a rapid return of even more severe pain and shoulder tendinitis symptoms.
There’s no single “best treatment” for shoulder tendonitis.
Following your diagnosis, your healthcare provider will create a personalized treatment plan to address your specific needs, whether you have rotator cuff tendonitis, bicep tendonitis, or both.
The shoulder specialists often combine therapies, such as:
Inflamed tendons often swell, leading to shoulder impingement.
You may lose strength, flexibility, and the ability to lift objects, which can limit your regular daily activities and independence.
The condition can also increase your risk of rotator cuff tears.
If you need surgery, the shoulder specialists at OrthoNeuro offer both minimally invasive arthroscopic procedures and traditional open surgeries.
During arthroscopy, your orthopedic surgeon will make a couple of small incisions in your shoulder and use special surgical instruments to repair your shoulder.
An arthroscope is a thin surgical tool with a camera and a light on its tip.
The device transmits video from inside your shoulder joint to a monitor in the treatment room, allowing your surgeon to see inside your shoulder without having to make a large incision.
The best way to prevent tendonitis is to modify or avoid the activities that cause the problem.
This could involve taking rest days, limiting force and cross-training for athletes, and working with a physical therapist or sports medicine expert to adjust any postural or technique problems.
If you have severe or chronic shoulder pain that limits your movement, call OrthoNeuro today or make an appointment online for expert diagnosis and customized treatments.
If you have been experiencing tendonitis in the shoulder, schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists at one of our 7 convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus.
We will evaluate your unique lifestyle and goals to determine which type of treatment is best for you.
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