Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Definition
Rotator cuff tendinitis is an inflammation (irritation and swelling) of the tendons of the shoulder.
The shoulder joint is a ball and socket type joint where the top part of the arm bone (humerus) forms a joint with the shoulder blade (scapula).
The rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles that holds the head of the humerus into the socket of the scapula (called the glenoid). Inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder muscles can occur in sports requiring the arm to be moved over the head repeatedly as in tennis, swimming, and lifting weights over the head.
The risk factors are of developing tendinitis of the rotator cuff are
- Older age. Being over age 40
- Overhead activities. Participation in sports or exercise that involves repetitive arm motion over the head.
Also known as
- Shoulder impingement syndrome
- Tendinitis - rotator cuff
- Swimmer's shoulder
- Pitcher's shoulder
- Tennis shoulder