What are the main symptoms or signs of Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm?

Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.

When should you see a doctor for Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm?

See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.

Fitness

Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm

Painful arc, weak overhead, worse at night

Dr. Nadia Belkacem

Sports physician

8 min read

Medical illustration of Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm

In simple terms

Why the tendon degenerates rather than simply becoming inflamed, and why exercise beats rest.

What it is, in plain words

Four small muscles form the rotator cuff, holding the shoulder ball centred in its shallow socket. Their tendons pass under a bony arch. With overload or age the tendon becomes degenerative and painful, particularly during the mid-range of lifting the arm. The old term inflammation is misleading, which is why anti-inflammatory treatment alone rarely cures it.

Signs to look out for

Pain on the outer upper arm, especially between 60 and 120 degrees of lifting
Difficulty reaching behind the back, or to a high shelf
Night pain when lying on that shoulder
Weakness with overhead activity, without complete loss of movement
Stiffness developing if the shoulder is protected for too long

Why it happens

Repetitive overhead work or sport, sudden increases in training load, previous injury, smoking, diabetes and age over 40 all increase risk.

How doctors confirm it

Examination with specific tests distinguishes tendinopathy from a full tear, frozen shoulder and neck-referred pain. Ultrasound or MRI is used when a significant tear is suspected or symptoms persist despite good rehabilitation.

Treatments and solutions

Progressive loading exercise for at least twelve weeks, the treatment with the strongest evidence, ideally supervised at the start
Relative rest from the aggravating movement rather than complete immobilisation
Short-term analgesia and ice for flare-ups
A subacromial corticosteroid injection to allow rehabilitation when pain blocks all exercise, used sparingly
Surgery for large traumatic tears in active patients, or after failed structured rehabilitation

Living with it day to day

Expect slow, non-linear progress: mild pain during exercise that settles within 24 hours is acceptable and does not mean damage. Sleep with a pillow supporting the arm.

When to seek medical help

See a doctor for shoulder pain after a fall with sudden inability to lift the arm, for fever with a hot swollen joint, or for numbness and weakness in the hand.

This article explains general health information in simple language. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.

The words explained

Medical terms used above, in everyday language.

Inflammation: The body's reaction to injury or irritation: redness, swelling, heat or pain.
Symptom: A sign you can feel or see that something is wrong, like pain, tiredness or a rash.
Anti-inflammatory: A medicine or food that calms swelling and pain.
Relapse / flare-up: A moment when symptoms come back or get worse again.

When should you see a doctor?

Your symptoms last more than a few weeks or keep coming back.
They get worse quickly, or stop you doing everyday things.
You notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding — seek urgent care.
You already take medication and want to change anything about it.

This article explains general health information. It does not replace advice from your own doctor.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm?: Why the tendon degenerates rather than simply becoming inflamed, and why exercise beats rest.
What are the main symptoms or signs of Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm?: Common signs vary from person to person. The article above lists the symptoms to watch for, how they progress, and when they need medical attention.
When should you see a doctor for Rotator cuff tendinopathy: shoulder pain when you lift your arm?: See a doctor if symptoms last more than a few weeks, get worse quickly, stop you doing everyday things, or if you notice sudden pain, breathing trouble, fainting or bleeding.

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