Supraspinatus Tendinitis

The supraspinatus tendon connects the shoulder blade to the humerus bone, and is part of the ‘Rotator Cuff ’ muscle group. Supraspinatus tendinitis is the inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon, and can be caused by trauma, overuse or repetitive strain.

Supraspinatus tendinitis can often be experienced by athletes whose sports involve throwing and overhead motions. It is a common shoulder complaint, and can occur at any age, although it can be brought on by the loss of elasticity in the tendon due to ageing.

It cannot strictly be prevented, although keeping the muscles strong with regular exercise and making sure not to overuse the muscle can help. Attention to posture is also important.

Symptoms

Moderate to intense pain occurring over the top of the shoulder is the most common symptom, and moving the shoulder up and out will worsen the pain.

The joint will often feel stiff, and lifting the arm out to the side will be difficult.

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