The rotator cuff is a group of tendons from muscles in your shoulder that control movement of your upper arm. These muscles include the supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor and subscapularis. These muscles contract and transfer their contractive force to tendons that then transmit this force to the upper arm to cause movement. Sometimes with overuse, these tendons can become inflamed, resulting in tendinitis. According to the Mayo Clinic, this is most common in athletes who perform a lot of overhead activities, such as tennis players or baseball pitchers. Rotator cuff tendinitis can cause certain signs that you should be aware of.
Pain
The Mayo Clinic states that pain is a common sign of tendinitis. Pain occurs in the shoulder with movement of the shoulder. Your doctor will perform a physical exam that will involve moving your shoulder to look for signs of tendinitis. If you are experiencing pain in your shoulder, seek proper diagnosis and treatment from your doctor.
Tenderness
Tenderness is a common sign of rotator cuff tendinitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tenderness occurs when certain parts of the shoulder are pressed. In addition to movement, your doctor will assess tenderness by pushing on certain areas of your shoulder. This sign may aid your doctor in diagnosing rotator cuff tendinitis. If you are experiencing tenderness when your shoulder is pressed, alert your doctor.
Swelling
Swelling will likely occur with rotator cuff tendinitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Swelling occurs because chemical signals released by your body cause fluid to move to the area of your shoulder that is inflamed. This excess fluid can result in further pain and stiffness of the shoulder joint. If you have swelling in the shoulder joint or any separate part of your shoulder, alert your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
