European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Supraspinatus tendinitis or painful arc syndrome occurs in the shoulder. The shoulder joint owes its stability to the rotator cuff muscles which are four small muscles locatedaround theshoulderjointwhichhelpmovement,butimportantlytheirtendonsstabilizetheheadofthe humerus within the joint capsule^[1].One of the most common overuse injuries that occur in the upper limb issupraspinatus tendinitis. Supraspinatus tendinitis is caused by repeated stress or over use injury^[2].Tendinitis andpartialtearsinthesupraspinatustendoncausesa“painfularc“sinceasthepersonelevates hisarmsideways,thetendonbeginstoimpingeundertheacromionthroughthemiddlepartof the arc and this is usually relieved as the arm reaches 180^[3].
Tendinopathy is a common painful condition with reduced functional capacity of the tendon associated with the histopathological findings showing failed healing response ^[4].Overuse or repetitive micro-trauma sustained in overhead position and repetitive motion at work place causes degenerative changes and contributes to supraspinatus tendinitis ^[5].Manual treatment consisted of deep friction massage on the supraspinatus muscle, scapular mobilization, glenohumeral joint mobilization, and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation techniques ^[6].