When you have tendinitis and/or bursitis, you will experience pain at rest that worsens with certain shoulder movements.

To diagnose your condition, your doctor will examine your shoulder and ask you about recent activities that may have caused your symptoms. An x-ray may be useful to show if a bone spur is compressing your tendon. Your doctor also may suggest an MRI to see if your rotator cuff is torn. If bursitis is suspected, an MRI may show if there is fluid or inflammation in the bursae.

To treat your tendinitis and/or bursitis, your physician may suggest NSAIDs to treat the pain and inflammation. It also may be advisable to modify some of the activities that caused your symptoms in the first place. Physical therapy may be helpful. Your physician also may suggest a corticosteroid injection into the space above the rotator cuff to decrease painful symptoms and make physical therapy easier. If you have bursitis, sometimes your doctor may recommend removing the bursa fluid by a needle and syringe (aspiration).

Most tendinitis and bursitis can be managed without surgery. If symptoms are not well controlled with rest, medication, or injections, then surgery may be recommended to remove the inflamed bursa and [no-glossary]bone spurs[/no-glossary].

• Prepare for your doctor visit with the Shoulder Symptoms Checklist.