The key difference between supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder is that supraspinatus tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendon in the supraspinatus muscle, while frozen shoulder involves thickening and tightening of the capsule where the shoulder joint is enclosed.
Supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder are two different types of shoulder conditions. Both these conditions cause shoulder pain and discomfort. These conditions also restrict movement around the shoulder. However, these are different shoulder conditions with different aetiologies.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Supraspinatus Tendinitis
3. What is a Frozen Shoulder
4. Similarities – Supraspinatus Tendinitis and Frozen Shoulder
5. Supraspinatus Tendinitis vs. Frozen Shoulder in Tabular Form
6. Summary – Supraspinatus Tendinitis vs. Frozen Shoulder
What is Supraspinatus Tendinitis?
Supraspinatus tendinitis is a common shoulder problem, also known as shoulder impingement syndrome or painful arc syndrome. The supraspinatus tendon usually helps to resist gravitational forces that act on the shoulder joint. It develops when there is repetitive friction on the supraspinatus tendon of the rotator cuff, which leads to gradual inflammation and gradual degeneration of the tendon. This repetitive friction can be a result of repetitive stress and overloading during sports or occupational activities. The common symptoms of supraspinatus tendinitis may include pain and discomfort when attempting to raise or lower the arm, weakness in the shoulder when raising the arm, severe to moderate motion problems, crackling or grinding sensation in the shoulder, and pain or discomfort at rest or during the night especially when sleeping on the injured shoulder.
Figure 01: Supraspinatus Tendinitis
Supraspinatus tendinitis can be diagnosed through physical symptoms evaluation, MRI scan, and ultrasound. Furthermore, supraspinatus tendinitis is treated through rest, applying ice, taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin) or naproxen, EPAT therapy (non-invasive regenerative therapy), kinesiology tape or shoulder sling, physical therapy, corticosteroid injection, and rotator cuff surgery.
What is a Frozen Shoulder?
Frozen shoulder, also called adhesive capsulitis, is a shoulder problem. The shoulder joint is normally enclosed in a capsule of connective tissue. A frozen shoulder occurs when this capsule thickens and tightens around the shoulder joint, restricting its movement. The above phenomenon occurs when someone keeps the shoulder still or refrains from moving at all for a long period of time after surgery or an arm fracture. Moreover, symptoms of a frozen shoulder may include pain and persistent stiffness in the shoulder joint, pain and difficulty in carrying out the full range of normal shoulder movements, and difficulties in performing everyday tasks like bathing, dressing, driving, and sleeping. In more severe cases, it might even result in a complete inability to move the shoulder.
Figure 02: Frozen Shoulder
Frozen shoulder can be diagnosed through physical examination, X-ray, and MRI scan. Furthermore, treatment options for frozen shoulder may include steroid injections, hydrodilatation, shoulder manipulation, and surgeries such as arthroscopy.
What are the Similarities Between Supraspinatus Tendinitis and Frozen Shoulder?
- Supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder are two different types of shoulder conditions or problems.
- Both these conditions cause shoulder pain and discomfort.
- These conditions restrict the movement around the shoulder.
- They can be diagnosed through physical examination and imaging tests.
- They can be treated through therapies and surgeries.
What is the Difference Between Supraspinatus Tendinitis and Frozen Shoulder?
Supraspinatus tendinosis is a condition of the shoulder due to inflammation of the tendon in the supraspinatus muscle, while frozen shoulder is a condition of the shoulder due to thickening and tightening of the capsule where the shoulder joint is enclosed. Thus, this is the key difference between supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder. Furthermore, risk factors for supraspinatus tendinitis include older age, male sex, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, and higher CSA. On the other hand, risk factors for a frozen shoulder include age and sex (people 40 and older, particularly women sex, are more likely to develop a frozen shoulder), immobility or reduced mobility (rotator cliff injury), and having systematic diseases (diabetes, hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, cardiovascular disease, and Parkinson’s disease).
The infographic below presents the differences between supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.
Summary – Supraspinatus Tendinitis vs. Frozen Shoulder
Shoulder pain is a very common problem in people, especially middle-aged and older adults. The shoulder has a wide and versatile range of motions. When there is shoulder pain and discomfort, it affects these wide ranges of motions. Supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder are two different types of shoulder conditions or problems. Supraspinatus tendinitis occurs due to an inflamed and irritated tendon in the supraspinatus muscle of the shoulder. A frozen shoulder occurs due to the thickening and tightening of the capsule of the shoulder joint. So, this summarizes the difference between supraspinatus tendinitis and frozen shoulder.
Reference:
1. “Supraspinatus Tendinitis.” Portea – Heal at Home.
2. “Frozen Shoulder.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Shoulder motion with rotator cuff (supraspinatus)” By Young Lae Moon (CC BY 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Frozen shoulder” By The Joint Clinic – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia