Shoulder (Tendinitis) Tendonitis
Shoulder tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendons in the shoulder that can cause persistent pain, weakness, and limited movement. This shoulder condition can make lifting, reaching, sleeping, or playing sports difficult. Treatment is essential, but non-surgical care is often enough to relieve pain and restore function.
What Is Shoulder Tendonitis?
Shoulder tendonitis, also spelled shoulder tendinitis, is inflammation or irritation of the biceps tendon or rotator cuff tendons in the shoulder. The inflammation typically develops gradually from repetitive overhead motion, overuse, age-related wear, or sports and work activities that place repeated stress on the shoulder.
Early Signs of Tendonitis in the Shoulder
Shoulder tendonitis symptoms can range from mild stiffness to a dull, aching pain in the front or side of the shoulder that may radiate down the arm and intensify with movement.
This pain worsens when doing everyday activities such as lifting the arm, reaching overhead, or sleeping on the affected side. Without proper treatment, continued irritation can lead to worsening pain, weakness, stiffness, and reduced shoulder mobility.
Common shoulder tendonitis symptoms include:
- Aching pain in the shoulder or upper arm
- Pain that travels down the outside of the arm
- Tenderness near the front or side of the shoulder
- Shoulder pain that worsens midway through lifting the arm
- Weakness when reaching, lifting, or rotating the shoulder
- Stiffness or reduced shoulder mobility
- Clicking, catching, or grinding sensations during movement
- Mild swelling or warmth around the joint
As inflammation worsens, everyday movements such as reaching behind the back, fastening a seatbelt, or putting on clothing may become difficult. Reduced range of motion and nighttime shoulder pain are also common signs of tendonitis in the shoulder.
What Causes Tendonitis in the Shoulder?
Shoulder tendonitis is typically caused by overuse or repetitive strain that irritates or inflames the rotator cuff or biceps tendons. Repeated overhead motion, poor posture, shoulder impingement, sudden injuries, and age-related tendon wear can all contribute to the inflammation and irritation of the shoulder tendons.
Common causes of shoulder tendonitis include:
- Sports involving repeated overhead motion, such as swimming, baseball, volleyball, tennis, or weightlifting
- Jobs that require frequent lifting, reaching, painting, or repetitive shoulder rotation
- Falls, sudden shoulder injuries, or lifting objects that are too heavy
- Shoulder impingement, where tendons become pinched during arm movement
- Poor posture that places ongoing strain on the shoulder joint
- Repetitive daily activities such as gardening, raking, shoveling, or cleaning
- Sleeping positions that place prolonged pressure on the shoulder
- Age-related degeneration that weakens the shoulder tendons over time
Types of Shoulder Tendonitis
Shoulder tendonitis types are classified by the tendon involved or the underlying cause of inflammation:
- Rotator cuff tendonitis: Inflammation of the tendons that stabilize the shoulder
- Biceps tendonitis: Irritation of the biceps tendon
- Calcific tendonitis: Caused by calcium deposits forming within the shoulder tendons
- Shoulder impingement: Compression or pinching of the tendons during movement
How Long Does Shoulder Tendonitis Last?
How long shoulder tendonitis lasts depends on the severity of the inflammation and how quickly proper treatment begins. Mild cases may improve within two to four weeks, while more moderate cases often require at least 6 weeks of treatment. Chronic or more severe shoulder tendonitis can take three to six months to fully heal.
Rest, activity modification, physical therapy, and early treatment can shorten recovery time and help prevent ongoing pain or tendon damage.
Why Choose Hoag Orthopedic Specialists for Shoulder Tendonitis
At Hoag Orthopedic Institute, our board-certified and fellowship-trained shoulder care specialists provide advanced shoulder tendonitis treatment tailored to the cause and severity of your condition. We focus on relieving pain, restoring mobility, and helping you get back to the activities you love, often with effective non-surgical care.