Shoulder tendinitis and bursitis are painful and common conditions that inflame soft tissue around the muscles and bones:
- Tendonitis happens in the tendons, tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bone, of the rotator cuff or the biceps. The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that help your shoulder move and stay stable. The biceps help keep the upper arm bone stable in the shoulder socket. (Tissue is the material that helps support your body).
- Bursitis happens in the small, fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion the bones, tendons, and muscles near joints. In the shoulder, they’re over the rotator cuff tendons.
Tendinitis and bursitis are usually caused by repetitive motions in jobs like gardening, carpentry, or painting or sports like tennis and basketball. They can also be caused by a sudden injury. Other causes of tendinitis and bursitis include infection, arthritis, or diabetes.