Initial management of rotator cuff tendinopathy includes relative rest, modification of painful activities, and an exercise program guided by a physical therapist or athletic therapist to regain motion and strength. The addition of subacromial cortisone/local anesthetic injections may be helpful. Should conservative management fail to relieve pain and restore function of the shoulder, consider plain radiographs to rule out bony or joint pathology, and ultrasound to assess for rotator cuff and bursal pathology. MRI or MRA (MR arthrogram) should be considered if symptoms don’t resolve with conservative therapy and there is a concern of labral pathology.
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