Supraspinatus tendonitis is the Latin name for the commonest shoulder problem. The patient complains of pain in the muscle on the outside of the shoulder. There is great difficulty lifting the arm out to the side. Sometimes the patient can get through the pain and the arm is comfortable above the head. The pain returns as they try to return the arm to the side. The supraspinatus muscle sits in a groove just above the shoulder blade. Its tendon passes through a tunnel formed by the bones of the shoulder and attaches to the bone of the upper arm – the humerus – below the shoulder joint. This tendon glides through the tunnel every time the arm starts to move out to the side or up in front. If the tendon becomes inflamed it becomes fatter and its passage through the tunnel is more difficult and painful. Supraspinatus tendonitis can be caused by overuse when doing activities where the arm is held out to the side for long periods of time. Falling or other trauma to the arm may cause damage to the tendon.
Supraspinatus Tendonitis doesn’t recover by itself. Treatment with Manual Lymph Drainage and Connective Tissue Manipulation help to relieve the inflammation and allow the tendon to return to its normal size and pass freely through the tunnel. See Tendon injury