Shoulder tendinitis — or rotator cuff tendinopathy — is one of the most common shoulder conditions in adults. It affects athletes (tennis, swimming, weightlifting) as well as sedentary people over 40. At the Gouizine Clinic in Temsia (Agadir), we achieve excellent results through structured rehabilitation, without resorting systematically to surgery.
What is the rotator cuff?
The rotator cuff is a group of four short muscles (supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, subscapularis) whose tendons attach around the head of the humerus. They ensure stability and fine mobility of the shoulder. When one or more of these tendons become inflamed, degenerated, or torn, this is called tendinopathy.
Typical symptoms
- Shoulder pain, often on the outer side, radiating along the arm
- Night pain — frequent awakenings, inability to sleep on the affected shoulder
- Pain when raising the arm, especially between 60 and 120 degrees ("painful arc")
- Difficulty reaching overhead, putting on a jacket, or fastening a bra
- Shoulder weakness, sensation of catching or locking
- Crepitations during movement
What are the causes?
- Overuse: sports with repetitive overhead arm movements (tennis, swimming, basketball, volleyball).
- Repetitive occupational movements: painters, plumbers, hairdressers, dentists, manual handlers.
- Tendon aging (degeneration after 40).
- Subacromial impingement: mechanical pinching of the tendon under the acromion during movement.
- Poor scapular stability: the scapula moves poorly, creating compensations in the cuff.
- Trauma: fall on the hand or shoulder.
Assessment at the clinic
Houda or Noureddine Gouizine performs a complete evaluation: analysis of active and passive movements, specific cuff tests (Jobe, Patte, Gerber), assessment of scapular stability, palpation, listening to context (age, profession, sport, chronicity). This assessment directs the diagnosis to the tendon involved and the type of injury (inflammation, degeneration, partial tear).
Our treatment approach
Rehabilitation follows a progressive protocol:
- Phase 1 — Calm the pain (2 weeks): laser therapy, ice, gentle manual therapy, release of trapezius and pectoralis major, relative sports rest.
- Phase 2 — Restore mobility (2–4 weeks): joint mobilizations, posterior and anterior stretching, thoracic mobility work.
- Phase 3 — Progressive strengthening (4–10 weeks): eccentric strengthening of the cuff (key to healing), scapular stabilization, resistance-band exercises.
- Phase 4 — Return to activity (10–16 weeks): integration of daily, work, and sport movements. Sustainable home program.
How many sessions and what results?
Plan on average 15 to 20 sessions over 8 to 12 weeks. Pain often decreases from the first month. Full strength recovery takes 3 to 6 months depending on chronicity and severity. Studies show that 80 to 90% of rotator cuff tendinopathies resolve with physiotherapy alone, without surgery.
When to consider surgery?
Surgery is considered only in specific cases:
- Failure of well-conducted rehabilitation over 3 to 6 months
- Complete rupture in a young, active patient
- Major functional loss (inability to lift the arm)
Daily tips
- Avoid repetitive overhead arm movements during the painful phase
- Adapt your workstation: mouse next to you, not too far; screen at eye level
- Sleep on your back or on the opposite shoulder, with a pillow under the painful arm
- Keep up your home exercises at least 2 to 3 times per week, even after recovery — preventing recurrence requires regular upkeep
- Systematic warm-up before sport; progressive return
Related services
- Physiotherapy — primary care
- Therapeutic massage — trapezius relaxation
- Laser therapy — acute phase
- Functional rehabilitation — return to sport
- Clinical Pilates — scapular stability