Rotator cuff tendinopathy

Abstract

Shoulder pain is common: 16% of the general population suffer from it [1]. Rotator cuff disease is the commonest cause of shoulder pain, forming a large proportion of the workload of the specialist shoulder surgeon (of 1500 new shoulder referrals to a UK shoulder surgeon, 310 had rotator cuff tears) [2]. The morbidity associated with rotator cuff disease in terms of pain and loss of function is variable, but can be severely debilitating. In parallel with this, there is the cost to society in terms of loss of employment, Social Security claims, and the utilization of medical resources. Controversy exists in almost every area of the subject, and this chapter gives a broad overview of rotator cuff disease.