Tendinitis Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
Muscles and bones are connected by a flexible band of tissue called tendons. It is also called tendonitis. Tendons assist your muscles in moving your bones. A condition where these tendons become inflamed or swollen is called tendinitis. Usually, tendons become inflamed as a result of repeated injuries to particular areas like the wrist or ankle, etc. This can result in pain and swelling surrounding the joint.
Any tendon in your body may develop tendinitis, but the risk of developing tendinitis is high in your knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, heel, and wrist, especially in people who play sports. Some tendinitis forms are even named after sports, which include:
- Jumper’s knee
- Golfer’s elbow
- Pitcher’s shoulder
- Tennis elbow
- Swimmer’s shoulder
Causes of tendinitis
Although tendinitis results due to an injury that happens suddenly, more commonly, tendinitis will stem from repetitive movement over time. The majority of people who suffer from tendonitis are because of their work or daily routine that involves repeated movements putting stress on their muscles and tendons.
Performing repetitive sports movements or engaging in work-related activities with proper technique is very important to prevent injuries. Tennis elbow is an example of how improper technique can overstress the tendon and lead to tendonitis. Tennis elbow is an example of how improper technique can stress the tendon and lead to tendonitis.
Having poor posture, wearing unsupportive shoes, and doing strenuous exercises can also lead to tendonitis.
Risk factors
Some people are more at risk of affecting from tendinitis than others. Risk factors for tendinitis include:
- Age: Increasing age makes tendons stiff which puts a person more at risk of injury.
- Profession: Jobs that require a person to make repeated movements put them at higher risk of overuse injuries.
- Sports: People who play certain sports like football, tennis, and golf are even at higher risk of tendinitis.
- Certain health conditions: People suffering from health problems like gout, kidney diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are more susceptible to developing tendinitis.
A person with this condition should seek medical care immediately if they experience sudden severe pain or if they are unable to move their joints.
Symptoms of tendinitis
Although the symptoms of tendinitis vary from person to person and they include:
- Mild to severe pain in the area where the tendon is affected
- You may experience tenderness and pain when you move the joint
- a feeling of catching or grating
- Inflammation or swelling
Treatment for tendinitis
The main intention of the treatment for tendonitis is to reduce pain and inflammation of the damaged tendon. The first-line treatment options are:
- Staying away from activities that exacerbate the problem.
- It is important to rest the injured area.
- After the injury, apply ice to the affected area.
- Taking medication to reduce pain and inflammation.
If the conservative treatment options don’t improve the condition within a few weeks, consult an expert orthopaedic doctor. You may need a proper diagnosis of the problem and more advanced treatments, which include:
Corticosteroid injections: These injections provide quick relief from pain and reduce inflammation.
Physical therapy: It involves performing a range of motion exercises and splinting under the guidance of an expert physiotherapist.
Surgery: This is rarely necessary and is usually reserved for severe problems when no other treatment is effective.
How to prevent tendinitis?
By following these tips, people can decrease their likelihood of developing tendinitis.
- Before and after exercising, warm-up and stretch
- Gradually increasing the intensity of an activity
- Regularly participating in sports instead of just on weekends
- When exercising or while playing sports, use proper technique
- Make sure your shoes and other equipment fit you properly
- Any movement that causes pain needs to be stopped
- Increasing the strength of the surrounding muscles can place less stress on the tendons
- Whenever possible, try to avoid repetitive tasks
- Take breaks in regular intervals from repetitive activities
Tendonitis is very common and can be challenging to prevent. However, Orthopaedic experts like Dr. Ajay Kumar Tiwari can help you to reduce the risk of developing tendonitis. If you are in pain due to tendonitis, call +91 98499 82203 and book an appointment.
