Shoulder, arm & hand
Rotator cuff tendinopathy
Pain when lifting, reaching, or lying on your shoulder
What it means
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that helps control the shoulder as the arm moves. Tendinopathy can involve pain and reduced tolerance for loading the tendon. Scan findings need to be interpreted alongside strength, motion, and the history. [1, 2]
What I check in the clinic
I check which part of your reach is familiar and whether changing the height, the weight, or the arm’s path helps. If you want to get a pan down from a cabinet, we can measure that movement and later build the strength you need for the full task.
What the evidence says about care
Exercise is a core part of nonsurgical care. The GRASP trial found no average long-term advantage for its multi-session program over a best-practice advice visit, so treatment dose is a practical decision. A second check can help decide how much guidance you need. [3, 1]
Common questions
Why can I reach into the cabinet empty-handed but hurt when I bring the pan down?
I’d ask you to show me the point where it starts. We can compare a lighter object at the same height and use what you feel to decide where to start.
How do I tell whether I’m ready to use the heavier pan again?
Tell me how a comparable reach feels during the task and later. We can use that alongside the exam to decide how much weight or repetition to try next.
Why does lifting straight ahead feel fine but lifting to the side hurts?
I’d compare those two reaches at a comfortable height. The difference can tell us which direction to work on first and what a useful retest would look like.
What if the first lift is easy and the fourth is where it starts?
Show me the motion and tell me what happens across the repetitions. A single easy lift and a whole kitchen task answer different questions.
What if I suddenly can’t lift my arm after an injury?
Get it checked promptly, especially if you notice a sudden loss of strength or movement. [4]
What should I bring to an evaluation?
Bring one example of a movement or activity you want back, along with any relevant imaging or treatment notes you already have.