What is Rotator Cuff Pain?

Rotator cuff pain is a common cause of shoulder pain seen in patients for all ages. It describes a spectrum of conditions that effect the rotator cuff tendons such as tears, tendinopathy and calcific tendinitis.

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What is rotator cuff pain?

Rotator cuff pain is a common cause of shoulder pain seen in patients for all ages. It describes a spectrum of conditions that effect the rotator cuff tendons such as tears, tendinopathy and calcific tendinitis. These can occur after a fall, a sporting injury or can begin for no obvious reason. The prevalence of rotator cuff pain increases with age.

Most rotator cuff pain will resolve with modification of activity and a course of physiotherapy. If the pain does not improve and is waking you at night an ultrasound guided injection is very effective for rotator cuff pain. There are a few injection options depending on the type of rotator cuff issue you are suffering from.

What are the symptoms of rotator cuff pain?

The symptoms of rotator cuff pain are:

1. Pain on the outside of the upper arm. Pain can spread to the front of the shoulder (even into the chest) and the back of the shoulder into the shoulder blade.
2. Pain is aggravated by lifting the arm to the side and above head height particularly if a weight is in the hand
3. Weakness in the shoulder particularly with lowering the arm from an overhead position.

If this sounds like your pain, read on…

What other conditions can mimic rotator cuff pain?

If this does not sound like your pain there are other conditions that can mimic the pain of rotator cuff pain such as:

1. calcific tendinitis
2. frozen shoulder
3. shoulder impingement
4. sub-acromial bursitis
5. shoulder joint osteoarthritis

Rotator cuff pain vs frozen shoulder?

Rotator cuff pain and frozen shoulder both cause significant pain in the shoulder, however, frozen shoulder is also associated with significant stiffness, as well as the pain. Frozen shoulder is also a progressive condition i.e., the pain gets worse overtime for no apparent reason. Frozen shoulder effects those aged 40-60 years old, whereas rotator cuff pain can affect people of all ages.