Steemit Learning Challenge-S22W4; Rotator Cuff Tendonitis"

Greetings everyone! I am delighted to reengage with the Steemit Learning Challenge, Season 22, Week 4. This week's curriculum concentrates on Rotator Cuff Tendonitis, a condition affecting the shoulder region and the musculature encircling the shoulder joint. Having meticulously reviewed the lesson post, I am now submitting my homework task as required.

What's rotator cuff tendonitis? Write in your own words after getting knowledge from the lesson post. (Note: don't add special tests or investigations and detailed treatment in this question. Write the answer precisely).

When the inflammation of tendons around the shoulder occurs, this condition or state is known as rotator cuff tendonitis. The rotator cuff is known to have four muscles namely; supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, and subscapularis. Together with the four muscles I just mentioned, there are other muscles and tendons which surrounds the shoulder joint. These muscles surrounding the shoulder joint has its own role to play. It provides stability and friction-free movement.

Causes of rotator cuff tendonitis

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• Excessive using of the shoulder joint for various task on a daily basis.
• Sustaining injury on the shoulder joint.
• Participating in sports such as tennis, swimming, basketball and some other sports, where you overuse the shoulder joint.
• Age can cause rotator cuff tendonitis because during this age, the shoulder region may tear.
• This can occur to people with poor posture, example bad sleeping posture.

Symptoms of rotator cuff tendonitis

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• The patient will feel pain on the affected shoulder and upper arm.
• If the tendon gets inflamed and not treated, the affected place will start swelling.
• The patient will notice some weakness due to low strength in the shoulder
• A clicking or snapping feeling in the shoulder when the patient move it.
• The shoulder region won't be flexible again due to stiffness.

Stages of rotator cuff tendonitis

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• Stage 1 (mild): In this early stage, the shoulder region will be inflammed and irritated.
• Stage 2 (moderate): During this stage, the patient will feel a clicking or snapping sensation while performing a circular movement or range of motion on the shoulder like flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. During this stage too, there is a partial tear of the tendon, and that's where tendon regeneration starts.
• Stage 3 (severe): This is the final and the worst stage where the tear of the tendon occurs completely.

How would you diagnose rotator cuff tendonitis? Any clinical investigation or assessment tests? ( Don't add treatment to this question)

• Taking the patient's medical history, surgical history and their occupation: Knowing the type of work they do will help to identify how frequent they make use of their shoulder joint.

• Thorough physical examination by a physician or physical therapist: This physical examination can be done by checking on the patient's posture, shoulder alignment and any other visible deformity. If there's visible deformity, me being the physical therapy will gently press on the affected area to to identify tender spot.

• Xray, Ultrasound and MRI: With the use of x-rays, it can help rule out other shoulder conditions, such as fractures, osteoarthritis, or bone spurs. Using ultrasound when diagnosing rotator cuff tendonitis provides detailed images of soft tissues, including tendons, ligaments, and muscles. MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provides high-resolution images of both soft tissues and bones, and it can can detect subtle changes in tendon and muscle tissue, including inflammation, degeneration, or tears.

• Performing arthroscopy: I'll also do a special test called arthroscopy. Arthroscopy is a way to look inside the joint without making a big cut. It helps me see if the patient have rotator cuff tendonitis.

• NCS(Nerve Conduction Study): An NCS test helps ensure that the symptoms are not caused by nerve damage, but rather by the rotator cuff tendonitis itself.

Special test to confirm the diagnosis

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• Neer test: This special test to is done to check if the shoulder joint is pinched. This test helps to see if the bone is pressing on the tendons.
• Hawkins Kennedy Test: This test checks if the shoulder tendons are being squeezed or pinched.
• Jobe's Test: This test checks if the tendon on top of the shoulder is strong or damaged.
• Speed Test: This test checks if the tendon connecting the biceps muscle to the shoulder is damaged or torn.
• Yergason Test: This test also checks for damage or tears in the biceps tendon.

Applying heat pad before performing the exercise

Absent a commercial heat pad, I improvised by boiling water and pouring it into a 75cl rubber container. To prevent direct contact with my skin, I wrapped the container in a cloth. I then applied the makeshift heat pad to my shoulder region, gently massaging the area for approximately 5 minutes, as recommended. This self-administered treatment aimed to alleviate muscle soreness, injury, and stiffness.

Try to practice at least 3 exercises that you have learned from the lesson. Share images, gifs or videos while practicing preferably gifs or videos.