Supraspinatus Tendinitis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Supraspinatus tendinitis is a skeletomuscular condition that affects the shoulder. It is the most common shoulder ailment for people ages 25 to 50.

Causes

• Causes of supraspinatus tendinitis include repetitive motions in the shoulder, especially overhand motions such as in tennis or throwing a baseball or football. In about 30 percent of cases, it is the result of direct trauma.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of supraspinatus tendinitis starts with general shoulder pain, which generally intensifies as you move the arm laterally or up and over your head. Pain increases over time if treatment is not taken.

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is generally made through a physical examination, and an MRI may be conducted on the shoulder to verify the diagnosis and rule out similar conditions, such as impingement syndrome.

Treatment

• Anti-inflammatory medication, cortisone injections and range-of-motion exercises are the most common conservative treatments for supraspinatus tendinitis. Surgery is generally not performed, unless there is extreme damage to the tendons or a long-term failure of conservative treatment.

Prognosis

• Most patients affected by supraspinatus tendinitis recover completely after conservative treatment, and patients who elect surgical intervention also have an excellent chance of returning to full, unhindered strength.