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Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is one of the thick fibrous cords that connects muscle to bone. Pain and tenderness are felt right outside a joint as a result of the disorder.
Tendinitis can affect any of your tendons, although it is most frequent in your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels.
Some frequent names for tendinitis problems include:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
- Pitcher's shoulder
- Swimmer's shoulder
- Jumper's knee
The majority of tendinitis instances can be successfully managed with rest, physical therapy, and pain medicines. If your tendinitis is severe and causes a tendon rupture, you may need surgery.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF TENDINITIS?
Tendinitis symptoms often develop at the area where a tendon joins to a bone and include:
- Pain is frequently described as a dull aching, especially when the affected limb or joint is moved.
- Tenderness
- Swelling is minor.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF TENDINITIS?
Although tendinitis can be triggered by a sudden injury, it is much more likely to be produced by the repetition of a certain activity over time. Most people get tendinitis because their occupations or hobbies require repetitive motions that strain the tendons.
When doing repetitive sports movements or job-related activities, appropriate technique is especially vital. Improper technique can cause tendon overload, as seen with tennis elbow, and lead to tendinitis.
WHAT ARE THE RISK FACTORS FOR TENDINITIS?
Age, working in specific industries, and engaging in certain activities are all risk factors for acquiring tendinitis.
Age
Tendons become less flexible as people age, making them more vulnerable to injury.
Sports
You may be more prone to tendinitis if you participate in sports that require repetitive motions, especially if your technique is poor. This can happen with:
- Running
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Golf
Occupation
Tendinitis is more likely in those who do the following jobs:
- Frequent overhead reaching
- Vibration
- Repetitive motions
- Awkward positions
- Forceful exertion
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF TENDINITIS?
Tendinitis, if left untreated, can raise your chances of tendon rupture, a far more serious condition that may necessitate surgery.
If tendon irritation continues for several weeks or months, tendinosis may develop. This disorder is characterized by degenerative alterations in the tendon as well as aberrant new blood vessel growth.
HOW IS TENDINITIS DIAGNOSED?
Usually, your doctor can diagnose tendinitis just by performing a physical exam. If X-rays or other imaging tests are required to rule out other conditions that could be causing your signs and symptoms, your doctor may order them.
WHAT ARE THE TREATMENTS FOR TENDINITIS?
Tendinitis treatment aims to alleviate discomfort and reduce inflammation. Taking care of tendinitis on your own, including rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain medicines, is often all that is required.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe the following drugs for tendinitis:
- Pain relievers: Aspirin, naproxen sodium (Aleve), or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) may help reduce the pain associated with tendinitis. Topical anti-inflammatory creams, which are popular in Europe and are becoming more widely available in the United States, may also be beneficial in alleviating pain without the potential side effects of taking anti-inflammatory medications orally.
- Corticosteroids: To treat tendinitis, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid drug around a tendon. Cortisol injections reduce inflammation and can aid with pain relief. Corticosteroids are not indicated for tendinitis that lasts more than three months (chronic tendinitis), because frequent injections might weaken a tendon and increase the risk of rupture.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): PRP treatment is collecting a blood sample and spinning it to separate the platelets and other healing elements. After that, the fluid is injected into the area of persistent tendon irritation. Though research on appropriate usage, concentrations, and procedures is still ongoing, PRP injection in the site of chronic tendon irritation has showed promise in the treatment of numerous chronic tendon disorders.
Physical therapy
A program of targeted exercise aimed to stretch and strengthen the afflicted muscle-tendon unit may be beneficial. Eccentric strengthening, for example, which emphasizes muscle contraction with extending, has been demonstrated to be a very successful treatment for many chronic tendon disorders and is now regarded first line treatment.
Surgical and other procedures
If physical therapy does not relieve your problems, your doctor may recommend:
- Dry needling: This method includes inserting a tiny needle into the tendon to stimulate components involved in tendon repair.
- Ultrasonic treatment: This minimally invasive technique inserts a specific device that employs ultrasonic sound waves to remove tendon scar tissue through a small incision.
- Surgery: Surgical repair may be required depending on the degree of your tendon injury, particularly if the tendon has torn away from the bone.
HOME REMEDIES FOR TENDINITIS
To treat tendinitis at home, remember R.I.C.E. – rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This treatment can help you recover faster and avoid subsequent complications.
- Rest: Activities that aggravate the pain or edema should be avoided. Don't try to work or play when in pain. Rest is critical for tissue recovery. However, this does not imply complete bed rest. You can engage in other activities and workouts that do not put strain on the affected tendon. Swimming and water exercises may be tolerated well.
- Ice: Apply ice to the damaged area for up to 20 minutes many times a day to reduce discomfort, muscular spasms, and swelling. Ice packs, ice massage, and slush baths with ice and water can all be beneficial. Freeze a plastic foam cup full of water to hold while applying ice directly to the skin for an ice massage.
- Compression: Because swelling can cause loss of motion in an injured joint, compress the area until swelling subsides. Wraps or compressive elastic bandages are the most effective.
- Elevation: To minimize swelling, raise the affected leg above the level of your heart if you have tendonitis in your knee.
Although rest is an important element of treating tendinitis, prolonged inactivity can promote joint stiffness. After a few days of total rest, gently move the damaged area through its full range of motion to maintain joint flexibility.
You can also try over-the-counter drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others), naproxen sodium (Aleve), or acetaminophen (Tylenol, and others) to alleviate the pain associated with tendinitis.
HOW CAN TENDINITIS BE PREVENTED?
Follow these tips to lower your chances of developing tendinitis:
- Take it easy: Avoid activities that put too much strain on your tendons, especially for long periods of time. Stop and rest if you get pain while performing an exercise.
- Change things up: If one exercise or activity causes you chronic pain, try something else. Cross-training allows you to alternate between high-impact exercises like running and low-impact exercises like bicycling or swimming.
- Enhance your technique: If your technique in an activity or workout is incorrect, you may be putting your tendons at risk. When starting a new sport or using fitness equipment, consider taking lessons or getting professional guidance.
- Stretch: Stretching after exercise is important for maximizing joint range of motion. This can aid in reducing repetitive damage to tight tissues. After exercise, when your muscles are warmed up, is the greatest time to stretch.
- Use proper ergonomics in the workplace: If feasible, get your workspace ergonomically assessed and modify your chair, keyboard, and desktop as advised for your height, arm length, and typical tasks. This will assist to prevent all of your joints and tendons from overuse.
- Get your muscles ready to play: Muscles employed in your activity or sport can be strengthened to assist them endure stress and load.