Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Treatment Of Rotator Cuff Tendinitis

Shoulder pain and weakness complaints among patients of different age groups are frequently caused by rotator cuff injuries. Your rotator cuff is a set of four tendons and four small muscles in your shoulder that help you lift and rotate your arm. Its most important function is to control the gliding of the humeral head under the acromial arch when lifting the arm. Rotator cuff tendons can be damaged due to various reasons such as acute injury, overuse in professional activities and sports, and poor shoulder position due to poor posture.

Rotator cuff tendon disease, refers to injuries of two different types: tendinitis and tendinosis, which should not be confused, as they have different natures and require different treatment approaches. Rotator cuff tendinitis refers to injury accompanied by inflammation, while tendonisis is tendon damage at the cellular level. Tendinosis is frequently misdiagnosed as tendinitis. Tendinosis is characterized by changes in the collagen matrix, increased cellular and vascular activity, and lack of inflammation, which is the primary marker for tendinitis. Proper diagnosis is important for identifying tendinopathy type and prescribing adequate treatment.

Since tendon degeneration does not involve inflammation, it does not respond to anti-inflammatory medication.

DIAGNOSIS OF ROTATOR CUFF TENDINITIS

Rotator cuff tendinitis is easily diagnosed using diagnostic sonography, and does not require MRI. Diagnostic sonography allows for a dynamic exam in real time, with the patient in motion, to reveal the underlying cause of tendinitis.

At NYDNRehab we use the most advanced motion analysis diagnosis, combining a revolutionary Proteus shoulder machine, 3D motion capture video, surface electromyography and force plate technology. Outside of academic biomechanics research labs, this setup is unique to our clinic.

Physical Therapy

Conventional treatment for rotator cuff tendinosis involves various rehabilitation exercises for strengthening the rotator cuff. Our preferred approach is Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), which involves the precise positioning of the shoulder blade and humerus in specific developmental positions, with the goal of optimizing rotator cuff muscle and shoulder girdle function.

With DNS, pain arising from the position of the humeral head beneath the acromial arch disappears, and proper movement is restored. While traditional physical therapy focuses on strengthening the rotator cuff muscles, we first seek to restore motor control and muscular synergies, prior to muscle strengthening exercises.

Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization is a highly effective physical therapy exercise system, Originating from the famous Prague School of Physical Rehabilitation, this approach has revolutionized the treatment of shoulder pain and is considered the method of choice for conservative shoulder pain treatment.

Proteus Shoulder Physical Therapy

Proteus is a new innovation for the diagnosis and rehabilitation of shoulder disorders. Its uniqueness lies in its intelligent co-linear resistance. Special AI technology allows for coupled resistance to combined motion of the wrist, elbow, arm, shoulder blade and thorax. This resistance restores lost motion synergy between all joints and muscles that connect the shoulder to the rest of the body. Individual programs can be selected based on biomechanical motion analysis. Muscle strength and control is restored, based on objective quantitative assessment rather than conventional subjective assessment.

Ultrasound Guided Dry Needling

USGDN is the preferred approach for treating most shoulder problems that do not require surgery. USGDN is particularly good for shoulder pain, yielding results that surpass any other conservative treatments available.

• Ultrasound guided procedures at NYDNR use the most advanced ultrasonography equipment, enhanced with sonoelastography, rarely available in private clinics.
• High resolution ultrasonography is the method of choice for USGDN procedures, able to detect deep trigger points that cannot be manually palpated.
• USGDN is highly effective, requiring only 1-3 applications, versus blind dry needling that requires multiple repetitions.
• Blind dry needling cannot access deep trigger points, and lacks precision and specificity.
• We are able to combine USGDN with focused and radial shockwaves, for optimal results.
• USGDN can eliminate the symptomatic phase of physical therapy, moving the patient directly from symptoms to correction, and reducing care by 4-8 weeks.
• USGDN is an evidence-based treatment approach with a high degree of efficacy.
• Dr.Kalika is an internationally recognized expert in USGDN, with multiple scientific publications to his credit.

ESWT (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy)

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is a treatment method used for multiple tendonopathies that regenerates degenerated areas of the tendon by growing new micro blood vessels. This biological process is called neovascularization. It is a safe and effective method that excludes the risk of infection and formation of scar tissue. ESWT is performed only after ultrasound or MRI diagnostics.

The procedure eliminates pain and restores full mobility. The beneficial effects of ESWT usually appear after only four treatments. Some patients experience immediate pain relief.

Our Approach

As the first clinic to apply the DNS method in the US, New York Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Center presents the most modern and comprehensive rehabilitation approach. The effectiveness of DNS method in treatment of rotator cuff injuries is marked by the fact that many professional tennis and baseball players use DNS shoulder pain therapy and DNS exercises for post-traumatic rehabilitation and prevention. One of the first DNS practitioners in the US, Dr. Kalika serves as injury prevention consultant for top professional tennis players. However, the application of DNS therapy does not restrict its effectiveness to sports medicine, and DNS is equally suitable for all patient groups. Successfully combining DNS with physical therapy, chiropractic methods and rehabilitation techniques, and using the most advanced equipment, we help people recover from and prevent neuromuscular pain.