What is supraspinatus tendinitis?

Supraspinatus Tendinitis Explained in Simple Terms

Supraspinatus tendinitis is inflammation of a specific shoulder tendon that connects your rotator cuff muscle to the upper arm bone, causing pain when lifting your arm or reaching overhead.

What Is Supraspinatus Tendinitis?

Supraspinatus tendinitis (sometimes called tendinopathy) is a common cause of shoulder pain that affects one of the four rotator cuff muscles in your shoulder. The supraspinatus muscle sits on top of your shoulder blade and its tendon passes under the bony arch of your shoulder before attaching to your upper arm bone (humerus). When this tendon becomes inflamed or damaged, it causes pain and weakness in the shoulder.

Anatomy and Function

• The supraspinatus muscle is located at the top of your shoulder blade
• Its tendon connects the muscle to your upper arm bone
• It helps lift your arm away from your body (abduction)
• It stabilizes your shoulder joint during arm movements

Causes and Risk Factors

Supraspinatus tendinitis typically develops from:

• Repetitive overhead movements - especially in swimming, tennis, baseball, or painting 1
• Repetitive strain injury - small traumas that accumulate over time 2
• Age-related degeneration - tendons naturally lose strength and elasticity with age
• Poor posture - can place extra stress on the shoulder muscles
• Sudden injury - though less common than repetitive strain

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Pain at the top and outer side of your shoulder
• Pain that worsens when lifting your arm or reaching overhead
• Difficulty sleeping on the affected shoulder
• Weakness when lifting or rotating your arm
• A "catching" sensation when moving your shoulder
• Pain that may radiate down the arm (but typically not past the elbow)

Diagnosis

Your doctor will diagnose supraspinatus tendinitis through:

• Physical examination of shoulder movement and strength
• Special tests that specifically stress the supraspinatus tendon
• Ultrasound imaging to visualize the tendon structure 3
• MRI in some cases to rule out other conditions

Treatment Options

Conservative Management

1. Rest and Activity Modification

   • Avoid painful overhead activities
   • Modify work posture to reduce strain 2

2. Pain Management

   • NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) are recommended as first-line treatment for tendon pain 4
   • Ice application for 15-20 minutes several times daily

3. Physical Therapy

   • Eccentric strengthening exercises show beneficial effects 5
   • Progressive strengthening of the entire shoulder girdle 2
   • Stretching exercises to maintain range of motion 4

4. Advanced Treatments

   • Corticosteroid injections for short-term relief (limited to 2-3 injections) 4
   • Percutaneous electrolysis has shown superior results compared to dry needling for pain relief and improving range of motion 6

Treatment Phases

Treatment typically follows these phases:

1. Initial Phase (0-4 weeks)

   • Focus on pain control and protected range of motion 4
   • Gentle exercises and activity modification

2. Intermediate Phase (4-8 weeks)

   • Progressive strengthening exercises 4
   • Increased range of motion activities

3. Advanced Phase (8-12 weeks)

   • Occupation-specific training 4
   • Functional shoulder exercises

When to Consider More Advanced Treatment

Consider consulting with a specialist if:

• Pain persists despite 3-6 months of well-managed conservative treatment 4
• Functional limitations significantly impact quality of life
• Progressive joint degeneration is evident on follow-up imaging

Prevention

To help prevent recurrence:

• Proper warm-up before physical activities
• Balanced strengthening of shoulder muscles
• Correct posture during work and daily activities
• Avoiding repetitive overhead movements when possible
• Regular stretching to maintain shoulder flexibility

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Ignoring early symptoms - early intervention leads to better outcomes
• Returning to full activity too soon - complete rehabilitation is essential
• Focusing only on the tendon - the entire shoulder girdle needs attention 2
• Relying solely on passive treatments - active exercises are crucial for recovery
• Assuming pain means structural damage - studies show tendon abnormalities can exist without pain 1

Remember that recovery takes time, and a comprehensive approach addressing pain, strength, and function yields the best results.