[Tendinopathies of the shoulder and elbow]

Tendinopathies of the shoulder and elbow joint are a common problem. According to the current state of knowledge tendinopathies can be separated into acute and chronic tendinitis as well as degenerative tendinosis.

The causes of tendinopathy can be intrinsic, extrinsic or a combination of both. A false straining or overuse with repetitive microtrauma is often the cause. Particularly affected are tendons of the rotator cuff, the long biceps tendons and lower arm extensors.

Priority is given to conservative appproaches for these disease processes. Following appropriate diagnostics the pain can be reduced and function can be improved by specific training. When conservative treatment is unsuccessful and in the presence of certain indications, a surgical approach should be considered. In these cases a structural damage of the tendon often already exists, which could have resulted from the tendinopathy. The structural damage must be considered as a separate entity and differentiated from the tendinopathy.