Clinical Presentation

 

The most common symptom of rotator cuff tendinopathy is shoulder and arm pain, especially during overhead activities (Hermans et al. 2013). The sensation is described as dull pain that becomes sharp and stabbing during overhead motion. The athlete or sportsperson with rotator cuff tendinopathy complains of pain with overhead activity such as throwing, swimming and overhead shots in racquet sports. Activities undertaken at less than 90⁰ of abduction are usually pain free (Brukner and Khan 2007).

 

Pain is often located in the region of the deltoid muscle, ranging from its origin at the clavicle, acromion process, and scapular spine to its insertion at the middle part of the humerus (Hermans et al. 2013).

 

Other symptoms include night pain particularly when sleeping on the effected shoulder, weakness, stiffness, or crepitus that may be heard during shoulder movement. Inspection of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus fossae above and below the scapular spine can show atrophy. Swelling seldom occurs but can be a sign of inflammatory or traumatic changes (Hermans et al. 2013).

 

Key Reference

• Hermans, J., Luime, J. J., Meuffels, D. E., Reijman, M., Simel, D. L. and Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M. A. (2013) 'Does this patient with shoulder pain have rotator cuff disease?: The Rational Clinical Examination systematic review', JAMA: Journal of the American Medical Association, 310(8), 837-847.