How Is Rotator Cuff Tendinitis Treated?

Tendinitis affects the tendons that help the shoulder lift and rotate. Repeated overhead work, sport, or a sudden increase in activity can irritate these tissues. Pain when lifting the arm and shoulder pain do not by themselves show whether the tendon is irritated or torn, so an examination helps guide care. The aim is to calm symptoms while keeping the shoulder from becoming weak or stiff.

Temporarily reduce the movement or load that provokes pain rather than stopping all shoulder use. A physiotherapist may begin with comfortable mobility work, then add exercise therapy for the rotator cuff and shoulder-blade muscles as symptoms settle. Ice or heat may feel helpful for some people, and a clinician can advise on suitable medication. A cortisone injection may be discussed when pain is limiting rehabilitation; it is not a substitute for rebuilding strength. Shockwave therapy may be considered in selected persistent cases.

Get assessed if pain began with a fall, a forceful lift, or a sudden loss of shoulder strength. Seek urgent help for a deformed shoulder, severe injury pain, fever with redness or swelling, or persistent numbness. Arrange review when symptoms continue despite sensible load reduction, disturb sleep, or prevent work and daily tasks. A rotator cuff tear can present with similar pain, so worsening weakness should not be ignored.

Ask which activity is irritating the tendon, what exercises are safe now, and how quickly to increase resistance. Ask whether imaging is needed, what benefit and limits an injection may have, and what change would suggest a tear rather than tendinitis.