Tendinitis and bursitis – shoulder injury compensation
from leading UK personal injury solicitor
What are tendinitis, bursitis, and impingement syndrome of
the shoulder?
These conditions are closely related and may occur alone or
in combination. If the rotator cuff and bursa are irritated,
inflamed, and swollen, they may become squeezed between the
head of the humerus and the acromion. Repeated motion involving
the arms, or the aging process involving shoulder motion over
many years, may also irritate and wear down the tendons, muscles,
and surrounding structures.
Tendinitis is inflammation (redness, soreness, and swelling)
of a tendon. In tendinitis of the shoulder, the rotator cuff
and/or biceps tendon become inflamed, usually as a result
of being pinched by surrounding structures. The injury may
vary from mild inflammation to involvement of most of the
rotator cuff. When the rotator cuff tendon becomes inflamed
and thickened, it may get trapped under the acromion. Squeezing
of the rotator cuff is called impingement syndrome.
Tendinitis and impingement syndrome are often accompanied
by inflammation of the bursa sacs that protect the shoulder.
An inflamed bursa is called bursitis. Inflammation caused
by a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis may cause rotator
cuff tendinitis and bursitis. Sports involving overuse of
the shoulder and occupations requiring frequent overhead reaching
are other potential causes of irritation to the rotator cuff
or bursa and may lead to inflammation and impingement.
What are the signs of tendinitis and bursitis?
Signs of these conditions include the slow onset of discomfort
and pain in the upper shoulder or upper third of the arm and/or
difficulty sleeping on the shoulder. Tendinitis and bursitis
also cause pain when the arm is lifted away from the body
or overhead. If tendinitis involves the biceps tendon (the
tendon located in front of the shoulder that helps bend the
elbow and turn the forearm), pain will occur in the front
or side of the shoulder and may travel down to the elbow and
forearm. Pain may also occur when the arm is forcefully pushed
upward overhead.
How are these conditions diagnosed?
Diagnosis of tendinitis and bursitis begins with a medical
history and physical examination. X rays do not show tendons
or the bursae but may be helpful in ruling out bony abnormalities
or arthritis. The doctor may remove and test fluid from the
inflamed area to rule out infection. Impingement syndrome
may be confirmed when injection of a small amount of anesthetic
(lidocaine hydrochloride) into the space under the acromion
relieves pain.
How are tendinitis, bursitis, and impingement syndrome
treated?
The first step in treating these conditions is to reduce pain
and inflammation with rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicines
such as aspirin, naproxen (Naprosyn*), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin,
or Nuprin), or cox-2 inhibitors (Celebrex, Vioxx, or Nobic).
In some cases the doctor or therapist will use ultrasound
(gentle sound-wave vibrations) to warm deep tissues and improve
blood flow. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises
are added gradually. These may be preceded or followed by
use of an ice pack. If there is no improvement, the doctor
may inject a corticosteroid medicine into the space under
the acromion.
While steroid injections are a common treatment, they must
be used with caution because they may lead to tendon rupture.
If there is still no improvement after 6 to 12 months, the
doctor may perform either arthroscopic or open surgery to
repair damage and relieve pressure on the tendons and bursae.
*Brand names included in this booklet are provided as examples
only, and their inclusion does not mean that these products
are endorsed by the National Institutes of Health or any other
Government agency. Also, if a particular brand name is not
mentioned, this does not mean or imply that the product is
unsatisfactory. What is a torn rotator cuff?
One or more rotator cuff tendons may become inflamed from
overuse, aging, a fall on an outstretched hand, or a collision.
Sports requiring repeated overhead arm motion or occupations
requiring heavy lifting also place a strain on rotator cuff
tendons and muscles. Normally, tendons are strong, but a longstanding
wearing down process may lead to a tear.
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How can The
Claim Solicitors help?
The Claim Solicitors are one of the UK ’s leading
personal injury solicitor firms in the UK . We have dealt with
compensation claims for people who have been injured in a variety
of circumstances. We recognise that the practice of law is a
people orientated enterprise and that our approach should be
friendly but efficient. We also appreciate that our success
depends upon the success of our clients and upon the expertise
and approachability of our partners and staff.
If the accident that you have had was not your fault and
you have suffered a shoulder injury, you should consider making
a claim. Everyone is entitled to choose their own solicitor
to act for them. If your insurance company puts you in touch
with their recommended solicitor, you do not have to use them.
You are free to instruct The Claim Solicitors to help you
claim. With us there is no risk. Give us a call on 0800
197 32 32 or complete the form opposite and we will call
you back to discuss your claim.
