If you have rotator cuff tendinopathy (also called tendinopathy of the shoulder), you have cellular level degeneration of the tendon collagen in the rotator cuff of the shoulder. This degeneration can lead to chronic weakness, pain, limited range of motion and inflammation.

If you are an athlete in a throwing sport—most notably, if you’re a baseball pitcher—rotator cuff tendinopathy is an issue that’s probably on your radar. But you should also be aware of this chronic shoulder injury if you’re nearing 40 or beyond.

Rotator cuff tendinopathy (sometimes called tendinopathy of the shoulder) is, generally speaking, an overuse injury affecting the tendons of the shoulder. If you have this shoulder injury, your primary symptom is usually pain. You may also experience related issues affecting your shoulder joint, like tenderness and limitations to your normal range of motion.

Shoulder impingement syndrome is a common cause of shoulder pain that may affect anyone who performs repeated reaching and lifting over their heads.

Also known as subacromial impingement syndrome, it occurs deep inside the shoulder, when the bones of the shoulder blade and upper arm chafe against the top of the rotator cuff.

Although the shoulder boasts the largest range of motion of any joint in the human body, its remarkable flexibility can make it most vulnerable to damage caused by over-use, over-reach, and repetitive motions. 

A bone spur, or osteophyte, is a growth of extra bone. Bone spurs by themselves aren't dangerous or harmful, but they can cause problems if they interfere with surrounding tissue, nerves, or other bones.

One of the most common injuries seen by orthopedists and sports medicine practitioners is a torn rotator cuff. Nearly 2 million people sustain a rotator cuff injury in any given year.

Normal wear and tear leads to weakening of this part of the shoulder (usually of the dominant arm).

This explains why a good many people who suffer a torn rotator cuff are middle aged or older.

But anyone can sustain...