What is rotator cuff tendinosis?
In this photo, the white structure on the right is the top of the humerus. The frayed tissue just to the left is the rotator cuff. This patient was suffering from rotator cuff tendinosis and a partial-thickness cuff tear. Tendinosis represents a structural change to the tendon at a microscopic level, resulting in disorientation of the tendon structure and, ultimately, partial tearing as the weakened tendon tears. This is not the result of a single traumatic event. It is brought on by age and activity. Many patients with rotator cuff tendinosis and partial tears do not require surgery and will respond very well to a coordinated physical therapy program to strengthen the remaining cuff tissue. Ice and anti-inflammatories will work well, too. This is most likely the most common cause of shoulder pain in patients between 30 and 60 years old.
Rotator cuff tendinosis is a degenerative (age or activity related) change that occurs in the rotator cuff tendons over time. In this photo, the white structure on the right is the top of the humerus. The frayed tissue just to the left is the rotator cuff. This patient was suffering from rotator cuff tendinosis and a partial-thickness cuff tear. Tendinosis represents a structural change to the tendon at a microscopic level, resulting in disorientation of the tendon structure and, ultimately, partial tearing as the weakened tendon tears. This is not the result of a single traumatic event. It is brought on by age and activity. Many patients with rotator cuff tendinosis and partial tears do not require surgery and will respond very well to a coordinated physical therapy program to strengthen the remaining cuff tissue. Ice and anti-inflammatories will work well, too. This condition is the most common cause of shoulder pain in patients between 35 and 60 years old.
