Rotator cuff tendinitis: basic concepts of pathoetiology.

A discussion of the etiologic and pathologic factors associated with rotator cuff tendinitis and rupture concludes that intrinsic muscle contractile tension overload rather than primary impingement is the major factor in the etiology of rotator cuff tendinitis. Treatment is predicated on restoring health to the rotator cuff rather than enlarging the coracoacromial space.