Tendonitis

Tendonitis ( or tendinitis ) is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It can cause serious pain and tenderness just outside a joint. Tendonitis can happen in any of your body's tendons and common in body parts such as the shoulders, wrists, elbows, and heels.

Mild cases of tendonitis can be cured with rest and some medications to reduce the pain and inflammation. Some preventive measures are also required to reduce the possibilities of future development of tendonitis. However,
in severe cases surgery may be required to repair the rupture of the tendon. Over the years tendonitis can become chronic which lead to the rupture of a tendon. In the worst case tendonitis can cause permanent damage to the tendon tissues.

Sport players are prone to tendonitis because they tend to excessively repeat the same motion with their legs and arms. Swimmers, golfers, tennis players, and baseball players are more vulnerable to tendonitis in their arms, elbows and shoulders while runners, dancers and basketball players are more prone to inflammation in their legs and feet tendons.

However, one does not have to be a professional athlete to develop tendonitis. The incidence of tendonitis increases with age as the muscles and tendons tend to lose some of their elasticity. Some common names for various tendonitis problems are tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, pitcher's shoulder, and jumper's knee.

Symptoms

The symptoms of tendonitis that are produced near a joint aggravated by movement and include pain, mild swelling, and tenderness. There are specific types of tendonitis including tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, adductor tendonitis, patellar tendonitis, and rotator cuff tendonitis. The pain of tendonitis is usually worse with activities that use the muscle that is attached to the involved tendon. Tendons are usually surrounded by a sheath of tissue which is similar to the lining of the joints. These tendons are subject to the wear and tear of aging, inflammatory diseases, and direct injury. The most common cause of tendonitis is injury or overuse of the tendon during work or play. The pain is usually the result of a small tear in or inflammation of the tendon that links the muscle to the bone. Tendonitis may also be associated with inflammatory diseases that occur throughout the body, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Should You See A Doctor?

While most cases of tendonitis do not require the care of a physician, if pain is interfering with day to day activities or if soreness does not improve, a doctor's care is recommended. The doctor may be able to suggest ways to reduce discomfort, plus they may want to conduct tests to rule out other conditions which may be causing the problems. However, if a fever is present and the area affected by tendonitis appears to be red, swollen, and warm, there may be an infection. The doctor may suspect tendonitis after observing signs and symptoms of the condition, but to make a diagnosis, the doctor will require a complete physical examination. X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and blood tests may also be ordered if they suspend that a condition such as rheumatoid arthritis may be the underlying cause of the tendonitis.

Skipping the warming up before doing exercise or sports, improper training, overusing the joints, injuries and old age are the causes or tendonitis.

When you haven't exercised at all for a period of time then suddenly pushing yourself too hard doing extra workouts or vigorous trainings you could get tendinitis. Your tendon will also suffer when you use excessive force running uphill, jumping up and down repetitively or sprinting for a distance far longer that your normally do.

Doing exercise on hard surfaces like concrete, cement or asphalt can also cause tendonitis. When you wear poor fitting shoes that cause uneven movements of your heels and feet inside the shoes. Worn out shoes can also be dangerous because they lack heel supports. Wearing shoes that are too small/tight can irritate your achilles tendon. Good shoes should bend as required where the toes meet the foot to reduce stress on your Achilles tendon.

If you have overpronation (foot rolls inward too much when you walk or run) or you have too high arches or if you exercise in such a way as to put too much pressure on your Achilles tendon you can develop tendonitis. Another way that you may get tendonitis is if your hamstring or calf muscles are too tight. Your Achilles tendon may be tight, or too thick, and unable to stretch the way it should. When your tendons become stiff as they do with age they can be injured more easily. Those who have arthritis may develop bony growths around the heel, which can irritate the Achilles tendon causing tendonitis.

When you have tendonitis you may first feel a pain when you begin to run or at the start of your exercise. The pain will then go away as your muscles warm up. The pain may return during your exercise. If you neglect to rest your tendon it will worsen over time. You may experience pain even when you are not exercising. If your tendon ruptures you will feel a sharp pain and possibly hear a "pop".

It is always smart to listen to your body and not ignore pain. If you suspect that you have tendonitis you need to stop exercising and participating in sports and rest. No activity at all until the tendon is completely healed. See your doctor regarding treatment for your tendonitis.

1. It is always a good idea to stretch or warm-up before exercising or participating in sports. Stretching allows for maximizing the range of motion of your joints and helps to prevent injuries such as tendonitis. Stretching helps to minimize tight tissues and microtrauma from happening.

2. Ease up your activities. Avoid excesssive stress on your tendons by a combination of improving your technique, mixing up your routine and remember to stretch and warm-up before doing any practice and before any sport events. You also need to strenghten your body muscles so they could endure larger stress better.

3. Stop right away whenever you feel pain during an exercise. Pain means there's something wrong happening to your body. Don't ignore it! Stop immediately to avoid more injuries.

4. Mix impact-loading exercises such as running and tennis with lower impact exercises such as biking or swimming. Cross-training is an excellent way to mix up your exercise routine to help avoid tendonitis.

5. Consider taking professional instruction when you are beginning a new sport or when using exercise equipment that you are not familiar with.

6. It is important to fit your workplace to your body, which is called proper workplace ergonomics. This helps to relieve stress on joints such as shoulders, elbows and wrists. If the workplace is not ergonomically sound your tendons can be overloaded and stressed causing tendonitis.

7. Always make sure that you are doing all you can to strengthen your muscles that you are using for your particular sport or that you use when exercising. Asking for professional training will help you to know about the muscles involved and how to strengthen them.

Most runners have either experienced Achilles tendonitis or know someone who has. The Sharp pain felt right above the heel and the stiffness first thing in the morning, which makes going down stairs difficult. It is a painful injury that runners and triathletes find frustrating as it causes lay-offs for months, even years affecting racing careers and the ability to train.

It is still unknown as to why certain athletes will develop tendonitis and others won't. It is thought that perhaps the possibility of tendonitis exists for those who have gait faults such as pronation or supination where feet roll in or out. Another possibility may be irritation due to poorly fitting or worn footwear. If an athlete experiences a sudden increase in training load or an increase in distance, speed work or hill training they may also be at risk for tendonitis.

Athletes that are involved in sports that require running or jumping are especially at risk for tendonitis.

Tendonitis can strike those individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles and then decide to be weekend athletes without giving their bodies the chance to be trained properly for the change in activity level. It is common for Emergency room doctors to find patients with tendonitis who have had recent spurts in activity level before the injury. Even someone out sightseeing while on vacation and doing an unusual amount of walking can come down with tendonitis.

Athletes are often referred to sports consultants for tendon injuries. They can use ultrasound imaging in order to make a diagnosis about the tendon. They may also use a Doppler Scan that allows a radiologist to visualize vessels in surrounding tissues. Tendons that have poor blood supply will not heal well.

Athletes with tendonitis who wish to return to the sport quickly will need to follow rehabilitation regimes that involve eccentric exercises that exercise the muscles in 3 different ways. Eccentric exercises are used to treat Achilles Tendinopathy. There are two muscles involved in the Achilles tendon, the gastrocnemius and the soleus. You need to work both muscles by doing knee bent and then straighten the knee. Usually this is repeated 15 times, three times a day. You may feel some discomfort while doing the exercises but you should not feel sharp pain.

As the tendon starts to heel the discomfort and morning stiffness should lessen. You can add lightweights to your physical therapy to help strengthen the muscles. It will usually take 12 full weeks of rehabilitation before you will be ready to return to sports. There are several factors that dictate the number of weeks it will take such as how severe the original injury is, the level of training the individual had before the injury and how dedicated the individual is to following rehabilitation regimes.

During your recovery period you can improve your cardiovascular fitness by cycling and swimming unless this is too painful then you can modify the activity by using light gears. Your therapist will tell you when you are ready to return to light running or jogging.

If you have ever experienced the pain of Achilles Tendonitis you will want to prevent this from happening again. There are several things that you can do to prevent Achilles tendonitis.

You can wear shoes that fit properly and that are designed to support your feet. Do not let your exercise or running shoes get worn. You should replace your shoes before they show signs of wear. If the treads on the bottom of your shoes become worn the shock absorption will be decreased. If you are a runner, you will need shoes that have heel and arch support. If your foot tends to roll to inward (overpronation) you can get special shoe inserts to prevent this from happening. You can also have special orthotics made for you. Your doctor can help you decide which is best for you.

If you have had Achilles Tendonitis make sure that you are completely healed and that your doctor states that it is ok to begin exercising or participating in sports again. If you have never had Achilles tendonitis it is a good idea to stay in shape, receive proper training so that you will be using proper techniques to avoid injury.

It is important to warm-up before exercising or participating in sports. Warm-ups gently stretch your muscles. It is equally important to cool down after exercising or participating in sports because cooling down helps to loosen your muscles and also to decrease the stress put on your Achilles tendon.

If you are unsure of your posture, or technique and form make sure you ask for assistance from a coach or trainer because poor form and improper technique can lead to Achilles tendonitis.

If you have had Achilles Tendonitis or if you feel pain after exercising be sure to ice your Achilles tendon afterwards. You may also wish to ask your doctor if you should take anti-inflammatory medicine (NSAIDs).

Always seek the advice of your medical provider if you experience increasing pain or swelling or if you develop new symptoms that you are not sure about or if you develop a fever.

Pain signals that there is something wrong with your body and should never be ignored. Part of preventing tendonitis is being aware of your body and understanding the signs of tendonitis.

A common complaint from athletes is pain in the front area of the knee. The medical term for this pain is patello-femoral pain syndrome, runner's knee, anterior knee pain, extensor mechanism disorder, or patellar tendonitis. It can be found frequently in athletes who run and jump etc excessively. However it can

People with patellar tendonitis often complain of a dull pain, which is caused by running, jumping, squatting, or walking up or down stairs. The pain may feel worse after bending the knee or when sitting. Sometimes the knee will click or lock up and may have the feeling of buckling under when walking. The knee is often swollen as this pain is usually chronic in nature.

Patellar tendonitis can be caused by direct trauma to the knee, but is usually caused by repetitive strain from overuse during activities. Knee pain is typically secondary to foot or hip dysfunction. Normal muscle relationships are usually altered by flat feet and can force the knee into the wrong position during walking, running, or jumping. Even wearing the wrong shoes may cause stresses on the muscles around the knees. Repetitive movements in sports or work activities may exaggerate these imbalances and lead to patellar tendonitis.

Patellar tendonitis can usually be treated without surgical intervention. If the pain is so severe that it interferes with daily activities, the services of a doctor should be sought out. The Doctor will be able to assist with ways to better control the pain and to improve the ability to perform any desired activities.

If the pain of patellar tendonitis is acute, ice or an anti-inflammatory medication may help. The best treatment for patellar tendonitis is simply resting the knee by avoiding extra weight on it. This is easily accomplished by temporarily switching to a non-weight bearing activity, such as swimming. Applying cold packs or ice wrapped in a towel for short periods of time, for several hours a day is another simple treatment. Compression and elevation are also excellent forms of treatment for this injury.

There may be restrictions within the foot, hip, or lower back which often cause unnecessary stresses on the knee. These stresses make it difficult to successfully complete any desired tasks. However once the pain is under control, there are a number of simple exercises to help balance the muscles, correct posture, and free the entrapped nerves.

By increasing the functions of the knees, these exercises then become the key to healing. If the exercises do not help the symptoms, (or make them worse), it is vital to contact the doctor in charge so the treatment and exercises can be modified to suit the patient.

Diagnosis of patellar tendonitis includes performing a functional examination to rule out serious conditions, discover functional weaknesses, and help to identify specific goals of treatment. It is important the correct diagnosis is made originally so the correct treatment can be given.

Peroneal tendonitis is an inflammatory condition of the peroneal tendon. The peroneal tendon runs along the outside of the lower leg, behind the ankle under the foot. This condition is very commonly seen in runners.

Peroneal tendonitis typically occurs as a result of injury, overuse, or with aging as the tendon loses its elasticity. Overuse is the most common cause of peroneal tendonitis.

Peroneal tendonitis can be caused by a number of factors. Some of the more common factors include a rapid increase in the frequency and intensity of training, repeated training on rigid surfaces, and poor core strength.

Treatment for peroneal tendinitis can take weeks or months to see significant progress. The most important part of the treatment for this condition is the need to decrease the load applied to the peroneal tendon with each step. This can be helped by wearing a heel lift and avoiding walking in bare feet.

Ice, rest, and anti-inflammatory medications are also helpful in the treatment of peroneal treatment. Underlying systemic disease like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, sclerosis, and disseminated gonococcal infections may also be a cause and should be ruled out when performing the original diagnosis.

Peroneal tendonitis can be a result of injury, overuse, or can be in relation with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. The greatest risk of peroneal tendonitis occurs in middle aged and older adults and athletes or individuals with occupations requiring repetitive motion.

It's found that many sufferers of this problem complain of pain and swelling in the prominent long bone on the outer side of the foot. Other common symptoms of peroneal tendonitis include pain and tenderness along a tendon, usually in close proximity to the ankle or foot, pain at night can be a problem, with worse pain on movement or activity. Tenderness and swelling over the area where the tendon inserts onto the ankle or foot, and stiffness after exercise is another indicative factor.

The diagnosis of peroneal tendonitis is based on a history of repetitive motion or underlying disease and physical examination of the foot. To makes his diagnosis, the doctor evaluates the medical history and x-rays, and will also scrutinize the way in which the patient walks to observe any unusual characteristics.

The treating physician will probably give the patient medication to help control pain. Typically, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication is prescribed to help reduce any pain and inflammation. These medications can be helpful, but often have side effects including stomach upset and bleeding problems. They should be taken with great caution by those who suffer from any type of stomach upset.

Steroid drug injections can be used in the treatment of peroneal tendinitis and help to reduce peroneal tendonitis inflammation and relieve pain. Repeated cortisone injections may weaken the tendon or cause undesirable side effects, so are usually looked on as a last resort.

Athletics are not the only individuals to get tendonitis. Workers who do repetitive motions are prone to tendonitis as well as computer users and typists. Carpenters, assembly line workers, tennis players and those who play computer games repeatedly encounter many occupational hazards. Another group of individuals who are prone to tendonitis are musicians. Musicians who play string instruments are at risk for tendonitis because of the repeated controlled movements involved in drawing the bow across the strings.

Common places for tendonitis for musicians are the base of the thumb and the wrist as well as the shoulder and hand. Like sports, musical instrument playing requires lots of physical movement and conditioning and have similar muscle and tendon related issues so going to a sports medicine doctor can be beneficial for a musician who finds they suffering from tendonitis.

A musician may first experience tendonitis as a pain in one spot in the wrist, or on the elbow or at the base of the thumb. You may feel a burning pain or a severe pain when the affected part is moved in a certain manner. If you ignore the pain it will worsen and if treatment is not undertaken you may experience months of pain and perhaps even a total inability to play your instrument.

As most musicians need to play for a living, preventing tendonitis is a must. One important preventative measure is to always warm up before playing. You also need to learn how to adapt a relaxed playing posture. Warming up for at least 30 minutes before playing allows your tendons to be more relaxed and the muscles to be warm. Doing non-stressful movements such as flexing your wrist, arm or fingers are all of a warm up that is usually required. Some musicians use light duty squeeze ball or exercise putty as part of their warm up exercise. Another way to prevent tendonitis is to do exercises that will build up muscle strength for playing your instrument. You can do arm strengthening exercises or weight lifting with fairly light weight (3 to 4 pounds) on a regular basis everyday.

Increasing circulation in your fingers by immersing cold fingers in warm water before playing is another way to prevent tendinitis as this increases circulation. Cold fingers are a problem especially in cold winter months when you come in from outside and your digits are freezing. You are expected to play with cold fingers (not a good idea). Save time to run to the restroom where you can run them under warm water.

Bursitis is an inflammation of a bursa, a small sac that acts as a cushion or pad between moving structures, including bones, muscles, tendons, or skin. If a muscle or tendon is pulling around a corner, or over a bone, than a bursa serves to protect it from fraying and stress. Inflammation or irritation of this small sac is called bursitis.

Tendonitis or bursitis may occur in individuals with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, diabetes, and thyroid disease. Tendonitis can be caused by sudden intense injury, but is most often the result of a repetitive and minor injury of the affected area. Most people do recover full function after a combination of medications, physical therapy, and steroid injections. For patients with tendonitis and a bone spur, arthroscopic surgery is usually successful in restoring them to their pre-injury level of activity.

Rotator cuff tendonitis, also known as bursitis, or impingement syndrome, occurs when the rotator cuff gets irritated on the undersurface of the acromion. The reason this occurs is a source of some debate. Some people are born with a hooked acromion that will predispose them to this problem. Others have rotator cuff weakness that causes the humerus to ride up and pinch the cuff. This means that the bursa becomes inflamed. Common signs of rotator cuff tendonitis include pain located primarily on top and in the front of the shoulder. Mild to moderate weakness is very common, especially when overhead activity is performed. On occasion, bursitis that occurs with rotator cuff tendonitis can cause a mild popping or crackling sensation in the shoulder.

Often the diagnosis is suggested by the symptoms. The orthopedic surgeon or primary care physician will have the patient perform various maneuvers to detect rotator cuff tendonitis. The physical examination is designed to test motion, strength, and certain positions of pain. In addition, plain x-rays can show a spur on the undersurface of the acromion. An MRI is often ordered if a rotator cuff tear is suspected. Treatment for tendonitis of the rotator cuff includes resting the injured shoulder from the activities that caused the problem and from the activities that cause pain. Ice packs applied to the shoulder and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help reduce inflammation and pain.

Degenerative tendonitis is a gradual degeneration or deterioration of the Achilles tendon. This condition is sometimes referred to as tendinosis or tendinopathy.

The Achilles tendon like all the other tendons of the human body relies on a steady blood flow to stay healthy. If you suffer many tears in the Achilles tendon over time these tears will prevent proper healing and the tendon won't repair, as it should. If the tendon does not repair properly than the blood supply will not be as it should and the tendon will slowly deteriorate. This causes a weakening and thickening of the tendon, which will prevent normal movement and can lead to pain and an inability to move and to perform normal tasks. Degenerative tendonitis in many ways is just like any other tendonitis with the difference that it occurs over a long time and that it gets progressively worse.

Those that have degenerative tendonitis first receive the diagnosis sometime between age 35 and age 45. It occurs typically among those who have not had an athletic lifestyle.

The symptoms of degenerative tendonitis are pain the tendon and the leg, especially as you push with the leg and the Achilles tendon will be swollen because it is thicker than it was before.

Degenerative tendonitis is treated pretty much like other tendonitis in that you are treating the pain and use physical therapy, stretching exercises, a brace or boot and immobilization of the leg for rest in order to minimize the damage and to help rest and then allow for a return to use as much as possible. The difference is that it is understood that the body part will not be returning to normal function, as this is a degenerative form of tendonitis.

This is a chronic condition.

Treating degenerative tendonitis is difficult due to the circumstances. Surgery is not always necessary as there are those with the condition who manage to cope with the pain and limited mobility without having to resort to the surgery. Physical therapy is key to avoiding surgery. A boot or foot brace is also critical tools for learning how to help your Achilles tendon to cope with the demands of the condition. If however physical therapy and a brace or boot has been used for a prolonged period of time without relief than the surgical option must be entertained as a viable method of returning the individual to a life where they can be without chronic pain.