Overview of treatment options for rotator cuff tendinitis
Shoulder impingement syndrome (also known as subacromial impingement, painful arc syndrome or Rotator Cuff Tendinitis) is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. This results from the repetitive compression or “impingement” of rotator cuff between the upper arm bone (humerus) and the shoulder blade (scapula). This usually occurs after a person endures an acute shoulder injury. A person can damage his shoulder due to unexpected falls or performing a wide variety of tasks such as: playing sports, lifting weights or just by extending the arm awkwardly. The inflammation within the joint usually causes pain and the small blood vessels undergo a great deal of pressure from the swelling. Pain may worsen when left untreated and even results in a rotator cuff tear. The good news is, you don’t have to endure the pain and there are realistic treatment options that can eliminate or reduce your pain to a great extent. Physical therapists will appropriately diagnose your injury and prescribe the proper treatment plan.
Treatment options for shoulder impingement
Many treatment options are available for shoulder impingement, depending on how severe the case is. The Orthopaedist usually try to start the treatment using Non-Surgical methods before opting for surgery.
Non-surgical treatment:
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines
The orthopaedist may provide simple analgesics and Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medicines (NSAIDs) for reducing pain.
Physical Therapy
Formal physical therapy will be required if symptoms endure despite initial treatment, to assist in lessening inflammation and pain through ultrasound, electrical stimulation or other modalities. Eventually, all patients should begin a shoulder-strengthening program particularly athletes with special attention to the rotator cuff muscles. For younger athletes, this is particularly important as their impingement symptoms generally involve underlying instability. Physical therapy treatment would consist of postural strengthening, isotonic exercises of periscapular and rotator cuff strengthening and isometrics.
Steroid injection
If your shoulder impingement isn’t being managed by more conservative treatment, your orthopaedist may recommend a steroid injection. This is injected into the tendon to reduce inflammation and pain. He may provide a cortisone injection into the subacromial bursa to reduce inflammation (never mind, it won’t hurt much).
Stem Cell Treatment
Stem cell therapy offers a minimally invasive option for the treatment of shoulder impingement and chronic wear and tear of the joint cartilage. This involves harvesting of Adult stem cells from a patient’s adipose (fatty) tissue and bone marrow. Then it is consolidated and prepared for injection into the damaged areas of the shoulder. Stem cell injections for shoulder impingement can be an option depending on the severity of the damage to the tendons of the rotator cuff. Total tears typically require surgical repair. However partial tears to the rotator cuff are often excellent candidates for stem cell treatment to the shoulder.
Surgical Treatment
Your orthopaedic surgeon may suggest surgical treatment when the non-surgical management becomes ineffective to correct underlying structural or anatomic abnormalities causing the impingement.
Shoulder Arthroscopy
Arthroscopic shoulder surgery should be used to both define and diagnose the exact nature of the Shoulder impingement. By using a specially-designed arthroscope, rotator cuff tendinitis can be treated. It works through very small incisions with a minimum of discomfort and shortens the time for recovery without the need for a hospital stay.
Dr Banarji B.H is highly acclaimed as the Best Orthopaedic Surgeon Specialised in the field of Arthroscopy and sports medicine. Dr Banarji BH has his practice in Ortho One Orthopaedic Speciality clinic and Sakra world hospital. Both the centers have well-equipped facilities to treat all shoulder and knee problems, sports injuries, joint reconstructive procedures. Dr Banarji is famous for the impingement syndrome treatment in Bangalore. He is one of the pioneers in the field of Arthroscopic shoulder surgery. He is known as the best shoulder specialist in India.
