Where should a corticosteroid injection be administered for rotator cuff tendinitis?

Where should a corticosteroid injection be administered for rotator cuff tendinitis?

• A. Subacromial space
• B. Glenohumeral joint
• C. Acromioclavicular joint
• D. Bicipital groove

Answer: (A)

Rotator cuff tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendons and nearby bursa as they pass under the acromion, so delivering the steroid directly to the subacromial space targets the exact site of inflammation. This location affects the supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa, reducing pain and improving function by dampening local inflammatory processes where they cause most trouble during shoulder movement. Injections into the glenohumeral joint would mainly address intra-articular issues like arthritis or adhesive capsulitis, not the extra-articular tendinopathy of the cuff. Injections into the acromioclavicular joint or the bicipital groove target pathology in those areas (AC joint disease or biceps tendinopathy) and wouldn’t optimally treat rotator cuff tendinitis.

Rotator cuff tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendons and nearby bursa as they pass under the acromion, so delivering the steroid directly to the subacromial space targets the exact site of inflammation. This location affects the supraspinatus tendon and the subacromial bursa, reducing pain and improving function by dampening local inflammatory processes where they cause most trouble during shoulder movement. Injections into the glenohumeral joint would mainly address intra-articular issues like arthritis or adhesive capsulitis, not the extra-articular tendinopathy of the cuff. Injections into the acromioclavicular joint or the bicipital groove target pathology in those areas (AC joint disease or biceps tendinopathy) and wouldn’t optimally treat rotator cuff tendinitis.