Snapshot: Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Written by Kat Trimble, Clinical Myotherapist

What does RC tendinopathy look like?

● Shoulder pain

●Limited shoulder movement

●Pain getting worse over weeks/months

It can can affect some of your everyday movements:

Difficulty scratching your back

Pain or difficulty putting on a seatbelt

Difficulty brushing hair

What is the Rotator Cuff?

The ‘Rotator Cuff’ (RT) are the Supraspinatus, Infraspinatus, Teres Minor, and Subscapularis muscles, and their respective tendons. The muscles create movement of the arm at the shoulder joint (Glenohumeral Joint) and the tendons attach the muscles to the bones and joint tissues, and help stabilise the joint.

A common pathology of the RC are strains, which is a tear in either muscle or tendon. It’s important to make sure that your shoulder pain doesn’t arise from a different issue, or from a different tissue.

Other common problems that affect the Glenohumeral joint include:

● Bursitis

○ an inflammatory issue causing pain and loss of movement

● SLAP lesion

○ A tear in the labral tissue that holds the humerus into the scapular

● Frozen Shoulder

○ Tissues associated to the joint capsule thicken resulting in significant limitations to shoulder movements

○ Often takes 12-18 months to recover

Clinical Myotherapy can:

Diagnose/differentiate -

Using movement & strength tests Myotherapy can determine, if the issue is with a muscle or a tendon, and which muscle(s)/tendon(s) are affected. By using clinical testing, we can also

make sure that your shoulder pain and limited movement is not due to a different issue/tissue.

Establish Pain-free movement -

to empower the patient with adjusting their activities to reduce pain and the chance of further injury.

“What is the range of your movement before pain or discomfort starts?”

Guide management & recovery -

by establishing an evidence-based movement plan and monitor recovery over the duration of tissue healing.

Help the patient reach rehab milestones –

Backed by evidence and research, we are able to help the patient establish reasonable movement goals, monitor baselines and progress, and determine best practice for the patients recovery based on their individual needs.

The prognosis for RC tendinopathies and muscle strains is often very good. With appropriate individualised care and a progressive exercise plan, you can get moving again.

To read more about Kat and the Clinical Myotherapy Collective at Fairfield Wellness click here.