Supraspinatus Tendonitis Treatment
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Supraspinatus tendinopathy is a common and debilitating condition that is common post middle age and is a common cause of shoulder pain. The supraspinatus tendon is located in the subacromial space and is part of the rotator cuff muscle. The supraspinatus tendon is considered to be the main predisposing factor of this condition.
Supraspinatus tendinopathy is a common cause of shoulder pain in athletes (handball, volleyball, tennis, baseball). In most cases, this tendinopathy is caused by injury of the supraspinatus tendon in the acromion, which is located between the acromion and the humeral head.
What Causes Supraspinatus Tendonitis?
Supraspinatus tendonitis commonly occurs due to repetitive friction on the tendon or when there is repetitive friction on the tendon or in the subacromial space.
This friction leads to the weakening and continuous degeneration of the tendon, which ultimately may result in the partial or complete tear of the rotator cuff.
Some common reasons for supraspinatus tendonitis are –
- Overhead activities- In sports such as swimming, tennis, handball, volleyball, baseball where the arm is frequently raised.
- Heavy physical activity- Repetitive heavy work involving lifting weight overhead
- Hereditary Condition- People with a family history of supraspinatus tendonitis
- Injury: Injuring of the supraspinatus tendon due to some kind of accident
- Age- With age, the supraspinatus tendon suffers wear and tear which leads to supraspinatus tendonitis condition
What Are the Symptoms of Suprasounatus Tendinopathy?
Some common symptoms of supraspinatus tendinopathy are -:
- Experience pain while stretching hand
- Pain while doing any repetitive activity involving hand movement above shoulder
- Frequent stiffness in the shoulder region
- Difficulty in sleeping sideways at night towards the affected shoulder
- A problem in performing routine movements involving hand and shoulder movement
- Decrease in the mobility of the shoulder
Physiotherapy in Supraspinatus Tendonitis
Supraspinatus injury is the most common cause of shoulder pain. Supraspinatus muscle is effected the most in rotator cuff injuries. With a proper physiotherapy rehabilitation , a surgery for this tendon repair can be avoided.
When a person visits Delhi Physio Care with the same injury, after a thorough assessment, a customized treatment is planned.
The following symptoms need to be looked out for;
*PAIN- around the shoulder joint. There could be referred pain in the arm.
*TENDERNESS- at the top and front of the joint.
*SWELLING- some kind of inflammation and swelling can be expected in the acute phase. It is important to compare both the shoulders.
*Clicking sound/ Crepitus- in the joint on movement.
*NIGHT PAIN is present-sleeping on affected side increases the pain.
*RANGE OF MOVEMENT in the joint is reduced- mainly abduction and overhead flexion. Sudden shoulder movements will be very painful.
*Painful arc- abduction between 70-120 degrees will be painful.
*Decreased strength in the joint.
Mainly abduction and overhead activities get painful. This effects the activities of daily living like wearing clothes, combing hair, opening the door overhead etc. Inability to do very normal, regular activities can start effecting the quality of life. If not treated timely, pain starts on rest also.
On an average, it takes 6-12 weeks of rehab. In the acute phase, the main focus is to relieve pain. Various modalities option are available and according to the symptoms we can choose from hot/cold packs, EMS, IFT, TENS, laser therapy, ultrasound. We should not mobilise the shoulder in the acute phase and can use TAPING to give it more support.
After 2-3 days as the acute phase is getting over and the pain starts reducing, your therapist will start working on your shoulder movement. We will gradually progress from PASSIVE- ASSISTED- ACTIVE- RESISTED EXERCISES Shoulder glides are done to improve the range.
Exercises are done within the pain limits. Any movement aggravating pain is avoided for few days. It helps to alternate exercises with cold packs. A few relaxing techniques like the pendulum exercises and the inferior glides help in relaxing the joint.
Soft tissue mobilization at the tender spot (front of the shoulder) helps in relieving pain.
A few recommended exercises are;
- Shoulder squeezes( retraction)
- Cross-over arm stretch
- Door stretch
- Side lying external rotation
- Prone elevation
- Prone horizontal abduction
- Scapular mobilization
PNF pattern helps in increasing strength. Your therapist will work on strengthening of external and internal rotators, biceps, deltoid, scapular muscles. Patient is gradually moved to using therabands and dumbbells. These become a part of the home exercise programme also.
Mostly these pains happen due to trauma or injuries. Sometimes we are responsible for the same. eg, not doing warm up exercises before a workout, lifting very heavy weights. Remember our body always gives a sign telling us what it can do and what it cannot. LISTEN TO IT!!! We should get out of our comfort zone while exercising but with proper supervision and the right techniques. It is important to stay fit and it is also very important to live pain free.
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Supraspinatus Tendonitis Treatment FAQ’s
Supraspinatus Tendonitis is a common condition that occurs due to constant wear and tear of the supraspinatus tendon or due to injury.rtant for providing stability in the knee joint.
Some common treatments for the supraspinatus tendonitis condition include-
- Taking Proper Rest
- Anti-Inflammatory Medication
- EPAT Therapy Treatment
- Kinesiology Tape (KT Tape) or Shoulder Sling
- Physical Therapy
- Corticosteroid Injection
- Surgery
Supraspinatus tendinopathy is a common medical condition, especially after mid-age. However, it can be avoided with some precautions. One should avoid extreme stress on the shoulders. Physical activities like sports (tennis, baseball, volleyball) and exercises involving movement of upper arms behind the torso should be minimalized.
If you are suffering from supraspinatus tendonitis, you must visit a physiotherapist for a thorough assessment of your shoulder. A physiotherapist will examine your problem and identify the problem area and the factors contributing to it. Physical therapy will help in supraspinatus tendonitis by following-
- Improve your shoulder strength- By exercises involving your shoulder and rotator cuff
- Improve your posture- Suggesting the right posture to improve the subacromial space.
Supraspinatus tendon takes time to heal and the time may vary from a week to few months depending upon the condition. During this duration, the patients are strictly advised to avoid any physical activity that might have been attributed to the supraspinatus tendon condition.