rotator cuff tendonitis.

jimmyRotator

Hi all,

Im currently suffering with rotator cuff tendonitis and am looking to hear about other peoples experience with this. The problem for me has developed gradually over time lifting weights, I guess sometimes i wasnt taking enough recovery between sessions. I am looking for other peoples experience in getting over this injury, how long were you out, how did you rehab the shoulder, and maybe describe your gradual return to full exercise. I am not looking for medical advice, as im already seeing a physiotherapist and consultant specialist.

I have had a MRI which shows nothing out of the ordinary, no tears etc., and Ive just seen a shoulder specialist who says I have tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons) and recommended cortisone steroid shots, I have yet to make a decision on this. My physiotherapist thinks my injury can be sorted with physical therapy, as I have scapular instability, and thinks that consultants are generally too quick to inject. Regardless, if I go the injection route I will still need to rehab the shoulder properly, and am looking to hear about other peoples experience with this. In addition to weightlifting, I enjoy mountain running, yoga and pilates, but I may have to lay off these activities for a little while too.

All comments welcome, thanks for reading!

Praetorian Saighdiuir

Hey man,

I have the same problem. I had it in conjunction with golfers and tennis elbow.

I had 9 stints of physio and an MRI. Same as you, all above board just tendonitis.

I got a cortisone injection that took 16 minutes to perform....normally takes less than 20 seconds. (I have a tight sub acromial space)

There was no immediate relief but over a few weeks the pain subdued. The problem is still there though.

Hanley

Don't chase pain.

The tedonitis is a result of scapular instability. Treat that.

The injection would reduce inflammation, but without treating the cause you won't resolve the issue.

jimmyRotator

Stealth Recce wrote: »

Hey man,

I have the same problem. I had it in conjunction with golfers and tennis elbow.

I had 9 stints of physio and an MRI. Same as you, all above board just tendonitis.

Thanks for the response, yeah I actually have my 10th physio session coming up next week

I thought I was over the injury at one point and went back lifting weights, too early, back to square one. Having these problems for around 5 months.

what kind of rehab exercises does your physio get you to perform?

Thanks!

jimmyRotator

Hanley wrote: »

Don't chase pain.

The tedonitis is a result of scapular instability. Treat that.

The injection would reduce inflammation, but without treating the cause you won't resolve the issue.

I guess the only benefit of the injection is if the pain (due to inflammation) was hindering your ability to rehab the shoulder properly. My pain is generally mild, but persistent, and if I over-exert it flares up something shocking. But over-exerting in my current state could be simply lifting a full kettle.

robocode

I was told I had tendonitis where both biceps enter the shoulder joint. Bad physio just telling me to massage the tendon to break up scar tissue and then ice it. I went to a great physio last year to try get this sorted (had been flaring up on and off for years) and he quickly identified my problem being very poor thoracic mobility.
He said just what Hanley said above, treat the cause rather than the pain. I'm training again now but no real pressing because I'm still working on my thoracic mobility (and scap stability) to get them right rather than go too hard too early and cause another flare up.

Praetorian Saighdiuir

jimmyRotator wrote: »

Thanks for the response, yeah I actually have my 10th physio session coming up next week

I thought I was over the injury at one point and went back lifting weights, too early, back to square one. Having these problems for around 5 months.

what kind of rehab exercises does your physio get you to perform?

Thanks!

TBH I didnt find the exercises any good. Iv been like this since Oct 2011. There as a time I couldnt even lift a kettle...or massage my meat Not joking!

My physio was good alright and it worked to a certain extent. Once I got the injection, the pain gradualy eased but I went back training. Il get another once in a few weeks then in July get it sorted for good.

jimmyRotator

Stealth Recce wrote: »

There as a time I couldnt even lift a kettle...or massage my meat

Yeah lifting a kettle just isnt the same with the other hand :mad:

How would one go about increasing scapular stability? Are there any good exercises or guides? I gave myself relatively mild rotator-cuff tendinitis in one shoulder about 15 months ago — it was the result of lifting with bad form. I began lifting again a few months ago, this time with good form, and now sometimes when I lift or perform pull-ups, or some other exercise that's dependant on the shoulders, I can feel a very slightly twinge — not pain, but slight discomfort. What would be the best way to reduce scapular instability?

GSPfan

Not sure if this is related but i had a pinching pain in the front of my left shoulder for years. Physio and injections couldnt cure it. Shoulder specialist finally wanted to have a look inside. He scraped away some bone around the tendon and waited to see how i got on. Nothing improved. Eventually it was decided i needed to have a tendon transfer. Think its the long head tendon. Basically cut it and attached it to the short head one. Anyway, i've been fine ever since.

This pain originally had got so bad i couldnt do a push up without pain. I definitely tried everything before surgery but luckily it was worth it in the end.