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Shoulder Tendinitis Treatment in Pune
Get expert shoulder tendinitis treatment in Pune with specialists providing inflammation control, physiotherapy, and targeted pain management.
Overview
Shoulder tendonitis is a common condition that causes inflammation in the tendons of your shoulder joint. These tendons are strong, rope-like tissues that connect your muscles to bones. The shoulder relies on several important structures, including the rotator cuff muscles and tendons, along with the biceps tendon, to stay stable and move properly.
Shoulder tendinitis can range from mild irritation to severe inflammation affecting multiple tendons. The condition typically develops when a tendon becomes irritated, swollen, or even partially torn. This often happens because the inflamed tendon gets pinched or squeezed against nearby bones, particularly the acromion (the top part of your shoulder blade).
Common Symptoms
Shoulder tendonitis symptoms vary from person to person, but there are several key signs to look for:
- Shoulder pain that feels like a dull ache or soreness, often at the tip of the shoulder
- Pain that travels down your arm, sometimes reaching your fingers (shoulder pain radiating down arm to fingers)
- Shoulder pain radiating down arm that worsens when lifting your arm overhead
- Tenderness around the joint area
- Swelling in shoulder muscle and surrounding tissues
- Stiffness and reduced range of motion
- Weakness in the shoulder
- Pain from shoulder to elbow during certain movements
- Night pain that can wake you from sleep
- A clicking sound when moving your shoulder
The pain usually increases when you raise your arm overhead or move it in certain ways. Many people also experience front shoulder pain during daily activities.
Shoulder Tendonitis Causes
Tendonitis causes are often related to overuse and repetitive motions, especially activities that involve lifting your arm above your head. Common causes include:
Sports-Related Causes
Shoulder injuries in sports are frequent culprits, particularly in activities like:
- Swimming
- Baseball (especially throwing)
- Tennis and other racket sports
- Volleyball
- Weightlifting
Work-Related Causes
Jobs that involve repetitive overhead motions or heavy lifting can lead to shoulder tendon injury:
- Painting
- Construction work
- Moving and lifting
- Roofing
Other Risk Factors
Certain factors can increase the risk of developing tendinitis:
- Age (tendons become less flexible over time)
- Poor technique in sports or work activities
- Previous shoulder injuries
- Certain medical conditions like arthritis or diabetes
- Some medications, including certain antibiotics and steroids
Types and Stages of Shoulder Tendonitis
Healthcare providers often classify shoulder tendinitis into different stages:
Overuse Stage: Early inflammation caused by repetitive stress, leading to shoulder pain and weakness.
Calcific Stage: Long-term inflammation can cause calcium deposits to build up in the tendons, resulting in supraspinatus calcific tendinitis or similar conditions.
Impingement Stage: The space around your tendons narrows, causing them to get pinched. This often leads to supraspinatus tendinitis or deltoid tendonitis.
Tear Stage: Severe cases can progress to partial or complete shoulder tendon tear, requiring more intensive treatment.
Diagnosis and Testing
To diagnose shoulder tendonitis, doctors typically:
- Take a detailed medical history
- Perform a physical examination
- Supraspinatus tendinitis test and other specific movement tests
- Request imaging tests such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI scans.
These tests help determine the exact location and severity of the tendon inflammation and rule out other conditions.
Treatment
Shoulder tendonitis treatment depends on the severity of your condition and can include several approaches:
Conservative Treatment
Most cases respond well to non-surgical treatment:
Rest: Refrain from activities that increase your pain, particularly overhead movements.
Ice Therapy: Apply ice wrapped in a towel for 20 minutes, twice daily, to reduce shoulder inflammation.
Medications:
- Ibuprofen and other NSAIDs help relieve shoulder pain by reducing inflammation.
- The most effective anti-inflammatory options for tendonitis include ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin.
- Cortisone injections for severe cases
Physical Therapy: A crucial part of recovery that includes:
- Shoulder tendonitis exercises to restore movement
- Supraspinatus tendonitis exercises for specific muscle strengthening
- Stretching routines to improve flexibility
Advanced Treatments
For more severe cases:
- Ultrasound therapy
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
- Tendon injury treatment with specialized techniques
Surgery
Surgery may be needed for:
- Chronic cases that don’t respond to conservative treatment
- Complete tendon tears
- Severe rotator cuff tendinitis with structural damage
Rehabilitation
Preventing shoulder tendinitis is often possible with these strategies:
- Treat tendonitis early with proper rest and care
- Use proper technique in sports and work activities
- Strengthen the muscles that support your shoulder
- Warm up before activities and stretch afterward
- Avoid repetitive overhead motions when possible
- Take breaks during repetitive activities
- Maintain good posture
- Cross-train with different activities to avoid overuse
Prevention
Preventing shoulder tendinitis is often possible with these strategies:
- Treat tendonitis early with proper rest and care
- Use proper technique in sports and work activities
- Strengthen the muscles that support your shoulder
- Warm up before activities and stretch afterward
- Avoid repetitive overhead motions when possible
- Take breaks during repetitive activities
- Maintain good posture
- Cross-train with different activities to avoid overuse
When to See a Doctor
You should seek medical attention if:
- Shoulder pain lasting longer than a few weeks
- Pain doesn’t improve with rest and shoulder pain remedies
- Pain interferes with sleep or daily activities
- You experience severe weakness in your arm
- You notice signs of infection (fever, redness, warmth)
- Symptoms return after initial improvement
Related Conditions
It’s important to understand that shoulder tendinitis can involve different tendons:
- Supraspinatus tendinitis: Affects the most commonly injured rotator cuff tendon
- Supraspinatus tendinosis: A degenerative condition of the same tendon
- Subscapularis tendinitis: Involves the front part of the rotator cuff
- Deltoid tendonitis: Affects the large shoulder muscle
- Rotator cuff tendinosis: Degenerative changes in multiple tendons
Each condition may require slightly different treatment approaches, but the basic principles remain the same.
Living with Shoulder Tendonitis
Most people with shoulder tendinitis can expect good outcomes with proper treatment. The key is to:
- Be patient with the healing process
- Follow your treatment plan consistently
- Gradually return to activities
- How to cure shoulder injury depends on following medical advice
- Maintain shoulder strength and flexibility long-term
Key Takeaways
- Shoulder tendonitis is the inflammation of the tendons in the shoulder joint, often impacting the rotator cuff.
- Tendonitis symptoms include pain, stiffness, weakness, and reduced range of motion
- The majority of cases result from overuse, repetitive movements, or sports-related shoulder injuries.
- Early treatment with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medications is often effective
- Physical therapy is essential for both recovery and prevention.
- Shoulder tendonitis recovery time varies but most people improve with conservative treatment
- Prevention focuses on proper technique, adequate rest, and gradual activity progression
- Severe cases may require injections or surgery
- Understanding the difference between tendinitis (inflammation) and tendinosis (degeneration) helps guide treatment
- Proper diagnosis is essential as symptoms can overlap with other shoulder conditions
At Sancheti Hospital, we understand how debilitating shoulder tendonitis can be and its impact on your daily life. Our experienced orthopedic specialists provide comprehensive care for all types of shoulder conditions, from initial diagnosis through complete recovery.
We provide advanced diagnostic imaging, specialized physical therapy, and, when needed, minimally invasive surgical treatments. Our multidisciplinary team works together to create personalized treatment plans that address not just your immediate pain, but also focus on long-term shoulder health and injury prevention.
Whether you’re dealing with acute tendonitis or chronic shoulder problems, Sancheti Hospital combines cutting-edge medical technology with compassionate care to help you return to the activities you love as quickly and safely as possible.
Meet Our Shoulder Specialists
Patient Stories & Experiences
The pain in my left knee left me feeling helpless for years. After my treatment here, I can finally say I'm pain-free.
Vinita Singh
The nerves were swollen, and the body went numb. But thanks to Sancheti Hospital, I got a second life!
Parvati
I finally could walk again, a relief I've only felt after the hip pain surgery. I thank the doctors at Sancheti Hospital for their help.
Balaji Kharat
I'm a police officer, and I'm extremely thankful to Sancheti Hospital for treating my fracture without surgery.
Shantilal
My life has completely changed after the knee replacement surgery at Sancheti Hospital. It's like I can finally live again!
Kalpana Lepcha
The knee pain I've carried for years finally went away with the help of Sancheti Hospital.
Karuna
I can't believe that I get to finally live a normal and happy life, all thanks to the knee surgery I had at Sancheti Hospital.
Kishore Bhosle
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I continue working out with shoulder tendonitis, and what exercises should I avoid?
You can continue exercising with shoulder tendonitis, but you need to modify your routine significantly. Avoid overhead exercises like military presses, pull-ups, overhead squats, and throwing motions. Swimming strokes such as freestyle and butterfly should be avoided as well. Instead, focus on low-impact exercises that don’t stress the shoulder, such as walking, stationary cycling, and lower body strength training. You can also perform gentle shoulder pain exercises that your physical therapist recommends. The key is listening to your body – if any movement causes pain, stop immediately.
Is heat or ice better for shoulder tendonitis, and when should I use each?
Ice is generally better for acute shoulder tendonitis during the first 48-72 hours when there’s active inflammation. Use ice for 15-20 minutes several times daily to reduce swelling and shoulder inflammation. After the initial acute phase, you can alternate between ice and heat. Heat therapy (warm compresses or heating pads) can help before gentle stretching or exercises as it increases blood flow and relaxes muscles. However, always end with ice after activity. If you’re unsure, ice is usually the safer choice as heat can sometimes worsen inflammation in acute cases.
Why does my shoulder tendonitis pain get worse at night, and how can I sleep better?
Nighttime shoulder pain worsens for several reasons: reduced blood flow when lying down, loss of muscle support when relaxed, and certain sleeping positions that compress inflamed tendons. Shoulder tendon pain at night is also common because there are fewer distractions from the discomfort. To sleep better, avoid lying on the affected side, use a pillow to support your arm, sleep in a slightly upright position if needed, and take anti-inflammatory medication before bed (as directed by your doctor). Some people find relief sleeping in a recliner during the acute phase.
What's the difference between shoulder tendonitis and a rotator cuff tear, and how can I tell which one I have?
Shoulder tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendons, while a shoulder tendon tear means the tendon is actually damaged or torn. With tendonitis, you typically have pain that comes and goes, especially with certain movements, but you can still move your arm (though it may be painful). A rotator cuff tear often causes constant, severe pain, significant weakness (you may not be able to lift your arm), and a catching or popping sensation. Tears also frequently cause night pain that’s much more severe than typical tendonitis pain. Only imaging studies like MRI or ultrasound can definitively distinguish between the two conditions.
Are there any natural remedies or supplements that can help speed up shoulder tendonitis recovery?
Several natural approaches may complement medical treatment for tendon inflammation. Turmeric and ginger have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce shoulder inflammation. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish oil, may also aid in the healing process. Topically, arnica gel or capsaicin cream may provide temporary pain relief. However, these should never replace proven treatments like rest, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. The most effective natural tendonitis remedies are often the simplest: adequate rest, proper nutrition, staying hydrated, and getting enough sleep to support your body’s natural healing processes.
