Shoulder tendinitis is an inflammation of your rotator cuff or biceps tendon. Your rotator cuff consists of the muscles and tendons that connect your upper arm bone to your shoulder blade. Your biceps is the muscle at the front of your upper arm, from your shoulder to just below your elbow.

Your injury may range from mild to severe inflammation of one or more tendons in your shoulder.

Shoulder tendinitis is often caused by a tendon rubbing against or being pinched by nearby structures. The condition often occurs in certain sports or activities that need your arm to move over your head repeatedly. These include sports such as baseball and racket sports, certain swimming strokes, and activities such as construction work. Tendinitis can also be caused by everyday activities done over a long period of time.

Symptoms may be a bit different for each person. Symptoms may include:

• Inability to hold your arm in certain positions.
• Shoulder pain, weakness, or soreness.
• Pain at night.
• Sudden pain with lifting and reaching movements.

The symptoms of shoulder tendinitis may seem like other conditions or health problems. Always talk with your doctor for a diagnosis.

Your doctor will take a full health history and do a physical exam. You may also need diagnostic tests, such as:

• X-ray. Invisible electromagnetic energy beams produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.
• Ultrasonography. High-frequency sound waves create an image of some part of the inside of your body.
• MRI. Large magnets and a computer make detailed images of organs and structures in your body.

Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.

Treatment may include:

• Rest.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Strengthening exercises.
• Physical therapy.
• Ultrasound therapy.
• Corticosteroid shot (injection).
• Surgery (for severe injuries or tears).

If treatment is not started when your pain and discomfort are fairly mild, problems may develop. These may include:

• Pain that interrupts your sleep.
• Loss of strength or motion in your affected arm.
• Pain when moving the shoulder.
• Trouble doing things that need moving your injured arm behind your back or overhead. This includes doing things such as fastening zippers or buttons. Or placing objects in high places.

Contact your doctor if:

• Your pain gets worse.
• It gets harder to move your injured arm.
• Your pain disrupts your sleep.
• Your pain and discomfort keep you from doing your normal activities.
• You have numbness or tingling into your arms or hands.

• Shoulder tendinitis is an inflammation of your rotator cuff or biceps tendon. It often results from your tendon rubbing against or being pinched by nearby structures.
• You can get shoulder tendinitis from playing certain sports or doing certain activities that need the arm to move over the head repeatedly.
• Symptoms can include not being able to hold your arm in certain positions and pain or soreness in your shoulder.
• Diagnosis can be made from a health history, physical exam, and tests, such as X-ray and MRI.
• Treatment may include rest, medicines, strengthening exercises, ultrasound therapy, and corticosteroid shots.
• Surgery is used for severe injuries or tears.

Here are some tips to help you get the most from a visit to your doctor:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your doctor tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your doctor gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your doctor if you have questions, especially after office hours or on weekends and holidays.