Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy

Shoulder disorders are common musculoskeletal problems in Western societies, with a one-year prevalence of 47% and a lifetime prevalence of up to 70% (Luime et al., 2004). Shoulder pain is in fact the third most common musculoskeletal symptom (Urwin et al., 1998; Pope et al., 1997).

One common cause of shoulder pain is rotator cuff tendinopathy, characterized by pain and weakness during lateral (external) rotation and elevation (Lewis et al., 2015). Rotator cuff (RC) tendinopathy is an umbrella term that includes various shoulder conditions affecting the subacromial structures, such as long head of the biceps tendinopathy, subacromial bursitis, and shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) (Harrison et al., 2011).

It often leads to reduced function and consequently impaired quality of life, and is a major cause of work absenteeism (Baldwin et al., 2006). Once a diagnosis of tendinopathy is established, it is important to take the assessment a step further to determine whether it stems from extrinsic causes, intrinsic causes, or a combination of both.

While successful treatment of RC tendinopathy remains challenging, a solid understanding of shoulder biomechanics, risk factors, and evidence-based therapies is essential for optimal patient management.