Painful shoulder due to rotator cuff disease

The existence of a lesion (tendinitis, rupture, tears) in the group of muscles or tendons which provide stability to the shoulder is called rotator cuff injury. It is one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. It can be caused by repetitive daily actions, trauma etc. It manifests as pain and weakness of the upper, anterior and lateral surfaces of the shoulder. It occurs during activities that raise the arm above the head and with rest during the night in particular. Diagnosis is clinical and with imaging tests (X-ray, ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging). The general treatment is: initially resting the shoulder and physiotherapy in a second phase. Surgical treatments may be considered in the event that the conventional treatment is ineffective.