Tendinitis / Bursitis

Tendons are located at the end of your muscles and connect muscles to bones. Tendinitis, or tendon inflammation, most commonly occurs in the ankle, wrist, shoulder, thumb, elbow, or knee. With shoulder tendinitis, you can often pinpoint exactly where the pain is.

Causes of Shoulder Tendinitis

Shoulder tendinitis can have several causes:

Injury or overuse
Tendinitis can develop after an injury or from overuse of the shoulder, such as repeating the same movement frequently or overloading the muscle during intense sports activity. Shoulder tendinitis is often part of a broader condition called RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).

Physical factors
Other physical issues may contribute, such as underlying rheumatic conditions.

Bone and joint issues
People over 40 may be more prone to tendinitis due to joint instability or bone loss (osteoporosis).

Tendinitis or Bursitis?

Tendinitis is often confused with bursitis. Both are caused by injury or overuse of the muscle and can lead to swelling and inflammation. The main difference is in the type of pain: bursitis tends to cause a dull ache, while tendinitis typically causes sharper pain. It's also possible to experience both conditions at the same time.

Symptoms of Shoulder Tendinitis

• Pain and mild swelling in the shoulder
• A warm sensation around the joint
• Stiffness and limited range of motion
• A soft cracking or crunching sound when moving the shoulder

Recovery from Shoulder Tendinitis

Recovery from shoulder tendinitis can be slow, as the connected muscle is constantly in motion. Wearing a shoulder brace can help by limiting movement and giving the tendon time to rest and heal. A brace supports the joint and reduces strain, which may ease pain and speed up recovery.