Medical Treatment for Rotator Cuff & Shoulder Bursitis

Rotator cuff injuries affect the muscle and tendons that connect the arm bone to the shoulder blade. Shoulder bursitis is a type of rotator cuff injury that occurs when the fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that act as cushions between bones become inflamed.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of a rotator cuff injury are shoulder weakness, pain and a smaller range of shoulder motion. Bursitis symptoms include achy or stiff joints that hurt when moved or pressed and may appear swollen and red.

Causes

• Shoulder bursitis and other rotator cuff injuries can be caused by repetitive movements, bad posture, falling and lifting, or pulling heavy objects.

Risk Factors

• You may be at risk of shoulder bursitis if you are over 40, have arthritis, thyroid disease or diabetes. Having a job or hobby that requires repetitive motion or places pressure on the shoulders can also place you at risk for other types of rotator cuff injuries.

Medical Treatments

• For bursitis-related rotator cuff injuries your doctor may recommend applying ice or heating pads to reduce swelling, taking a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen, or corticosteroid injections. Other rotator cuff injuries may require surgery.

Prevention

• You can reduce the possibility of a rotator cuff injury by doing shoulder exercises, taking frequent breaks from repetitive arm and shoulder movements, and applying ice or heat to shoulders if you feel pain or inflammation.