The prevalence of neovascularity in rotator cuff tendinopathy: comparing conventional Doppler with superb microvascular imaging

•Superb microvascular imaging (SMI) correlated well with clinical symptoms.•SMI can potentially guide therapeutic intervention of rotator cuff tendinopathy.•SMI is superior in detecting neovascularity in patients with rotator cuff symptoms.•Subclinical grey scale and vascular changes were observed in asymptomatic tendons.•Clinicians should be aware of subclinical ultrasound changes in pain free tendons.