Impingement of rotator cuff tendons

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Impingement of rotator cuff tendons

Impingement occurs when inflammation, bone spurs, or fluid buildup causes a rotator cuff tendon to be squeezed and rub against a bone.

Every time you raise your arm above your head, the upper tendon in the rotator cuff (supraspinatus tendon) and the bursa that lies on top of the tendon glide on the underside of the upper end of your shoulder blade (acromion).

• The underside of the acromion may be rough and rub or scrape (abrade) the bursa and tendon.
• Activities that require repeated overhead arm movements can result in painful inflammation of the bursa (bursitis) and/or the tendon (tendinitis).

Over time, the tendon may wear against the underside of the acromion.

• Tiny tears may develop. As those tears heal, healthy tissue is replaced by weaker scar tissue.
• The gradual scarring of the tendon causes the entire rotator cuff to weaken.
• Finally, the tendons in the rotator cuff can no longer balance the upward pull of the shoulder muscle (deltoid) on the head of the upper arm bone. This can lead to further damage to the rotator cuff tendon, which renews the cycle of tearing and scar formation. The weaker the tendon becomes, the more susceptible it is to partial or complete tears.

Credits

Last updated:	February 10, 2006
Author:	Lila Havens
Reviewed By:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine, Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Michele Cronen