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The Difference Between Rotator Cuff Tears and Shoulder Tendonitis
Many people suffer from shoulder pain at some point in life either because of repetitive motion, lengthening the shoulder outside the range, or any injury. But when this pain is managed, it can have a substantial impact on your day-to-day life. For treatment, it is vital to recognize the source of this problem.
There are many causes of shoulder pain; it could be the rotator cuff, which is highly prone to tears, or a condition called shoulder tendonitis, one of the major sources of these problems. A proper understanding of those two problems can assist you and your doctor in figuring out all treatment options.
While imaging tests can help diagnose the condition properly and plan for the right treatment, understanding rotator cuff tears and shoulder tendonitis and the difference between the two helps.
Rotator cuff tears
There are many ways by which the rotator cuff of your shoulder can get damaged. The most common kind of injury is a tendon tear. When a tear occurs in any one of the four muscles or the tendons of the rotator cuff, it causes a rotator cuff tear. One of the most common reasons for rotator cuff tears is tendon degeneration or wear and tear of the shoulder muscles. Other reasons are overuse or injury.
Rotator cuff tears can be either full or partial. A partial tear can be a tear in one or more muscles of the rotator cuff that does not extend fully through the tendon. A full tear is when the tendon separates from the bone.
Shoulder tendonitis
It is also called rotator cuff tendonitis or supraspinatus tendonitis. It’s a condition that occurs because of irritation or inflammation of the rotator cuff shoulder muscles. Based on the inflammation severity, it can range from mild to severe. In many cases, the tendon gets tangled below the acromion because of acute inflammation, which can result in excruciating pain.
The main cause of shoulder tendonitis is an overused shoulder joint or sleeping on the shoulder for a longer duration. This condition is mostly seen in athletes participating in sports with overhead activities.
Difference between the symptoms of rotator cuff tears and shoulder tendonitis
Someone suffering from rotator cuff tears will have the following symptoms:
- Severe pain even when the shoulder is at rest, sometimes making it difficult to fall asleep due to the discomfort.
- While moving the shoulder in specific directions, a cracking or popping sensation occurs.
- Patients feel extremely weak when they try to lift their shoulder or arm.
- Not being able to lift an object with an extended arm.
An individual suffering from shoulder tendonitis experiences the following symptoms:
- Noticeable clicking sound when using the shoulder
- Shoulder pain that worsens when trying to reach for an object
- Stiffened arm, which reduces motion
Understanding these symptoms can help in differentiating these two conditions. However, it’s always important to go for medical care on time. The sooner these injuries are diagnosed, the faster they can be treated. This way patients can get on the path to recovery quickly.
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