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Inflamed shoulder tendons
Overview Symptoms Treatment Prevention
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Alternative Names: Swimmer's shoulder; Pitcher's shoulder; Shoulder impingement syndrome; Tennis shoulder Treatment: The injured shoulder should be rested from the activities that caused the problem and from activities that cause pain. Ice packs applied to the shoulder and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help reduce inflammation and pain. Text Continues Below Physical therapy to strengthen the muscles of the rotator cuff should be started. If the pain persists or if therapy is not possible because of severe pain, a steroid injection may reduce pain and inflammation enough to allow effective therapy. If the rotator cuff has sustained a complete tear, or if the symptoms persist despite conservative therapy, surgery may be necessary. Arthroscopic surgery can remove bone spurs and inflamed tissue around the shoulder. Small tears can be treated with arthroscopic surgery. Newer techniques allow even large tears to be repaired arthroscopically, although some large tears require open surgery to repair the torn tendon. Expectations (prognosis): Most people recover full function after a combination of medications, physical therapy and steroid injections. For patients with tendinitis and a bone spur, arthroscopic surgery is usually successful in restoring them to their pre-injury level of activity. People with tears of their rotator cuff tend to do well, although their outcome is strongly dependent upon the size and duration of the tear, as well as their age and pre-injury level of function. Complications: bursitis complete rotator cuff tear failure of treatment to improve symptoms Calling your health care provider: Page:  1 | 2 | Next >>