Supraspinatus Inflammation
The supraspinatus muscle runs along the top of the shoulder blade and inserts via the tendon at the top of the arm (humerus bone). It is one of the rotator cuff muscles.
Symptoms of an Inflamed Supraspinatus
- Pain and weakness when the arm is lifted up sideways through a 60 degree arc when rotated outwards.
- Pain when you press in at the inside front of the upper arm.
- If it is the tendon that is injured rather than the bursa you are likely to get more pain when the arm is lifted sideways against resistance.
What is the supraspinatus tendon?
The supraspinatus muscle runs along the top of the shoulder blade and inserts via the tendon at the top of the arm (humerus bone). It is one of the rotator cuff muscles. This muscle is used to lift the arm up sideways and is also important in throwing sports as it is the muscle that holds the arm in the shoulder when you release what you are throwing. There are massive forces involved in slowing the arm down after you have thrown something but few people bother to train these muscles. A heavy fall onto the shoulder can also result in injuring this muscle.
Over the tendon is a bursa (small sack of fluid used to help lubricate the moving tendon). This bursa can also become trapped inflamed (see bursitis).
The athlete is more prone to this injury if they overuse the shoulder particularly if the arm is at or above shoulder level. Or if you have had a rupture of the supraspinatus tendon.
Treatment of an Inflamed Supraspinatus
What can the athlete do?
- Rest until there is no pain.
- They must however continue pain free mobility exercises to keep the full range of movement in the shoulder.
- Apply heat and use a heat retainer/shoulder support.
- See a sports injury specialist or doctor who can advise on rehabilitation.
What can a sports injury specialist or doctor do?
- Prescribe anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen.
- Prescribe a full rehabilitation programme consisting of mobility, stretching and strengthening exercises.
- Operate with persistent problems.
- If it is bursitis the doctor can aspirate (stick a needle into the bursa and suck out the extra fluid).
You can often get back to training within 1 to 3 weeks, but if you do not look after it it will become chronic and cause more serious problems.
