Tendonitis
happens when a tendon becomes inflamed or irritated. It can
be a painful condition which can occur anywhere in the body, but is more common
in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee, and heel. Tendonitis is
usually caused by overuse and repetitive movements, but it can also be from an
injury, structural abnormalities, or diseases, such as arthritis and diabetes. Tendinitis
often develops in people whose jobs or hobbies involve repetitive movements as
this aggravates the tendons.
A tendon is tissue that attaches muscle to the bone. It is
flexible, tough, fibrous, and can withstand tension. A ligament extends from
bone to bone at a joint while a tendon extends from muscle to bone. Tendons and
muscles work together and exert a pulling force.
Symptoms of tendonitis can include pain that is made worse
with movement, pain during the night, tenderness, a lump on the tendon, a cracking
or grating feeling as the tendon moves, and swelling, redness, and heat in the
area. It can occur at any age, but it is more common among adults who do a lot
of sports.
Older people are also susceptible, because the tendons tend to lose elasticity
and become weaker with age. The most common types of tendonitis include:
Achilles Tendonitis-Achilles Tendonitis is a common injury in runners, and is
often caused by overuse. It affects the tendon that connects the calf muscles
to the heel bone. Symptoms include heel pain and tenderness, which can increase
when walking or running. Severe cases of Achilles Tendonitis can lead to tendon
tears.
The Achilles tendon
is between the heel and the calf muscle. Achilles tendinitis is a common sports
injury. It may also be caused by shoes that fit badly, or do not properly
support the foot. It is more likely among patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Achilles tendonitis causes pain and
swelling in the back of the heel. People with this condition often
complain of pain and stiffness and feel a lump behind the ankle joint.
Achilles pain often loosens up with some
gentle activity but tends to worsen as activities are
increased. Understanding this common problem can help with treatment and help to avoid
serious complications such as Achilles Tendon Rupture. Achilles Tendonitis is often treated with
rest, ice application, and physical therapy.
Patellar Tendonitis-The patellar
tendon connects the kneecap to the shinbone
in the lower leg. Symptoms can include pain and tenderness at the base of
the kneecap, swelling, and a burning sensation. It can lead to small tears in
the tendon which can cause it to become damaged and weaken over time. Patellar Tendonitis, or inflammation of
the patellar tendon, is a condition often called Jumper's Knee.
This condition causes
pain and swelling directly under the kneecap and is a common problem in basketball
players and other athletes who perform repeated jumping activities. Treatment
of Patellar Tendonitis usually consists of rest and anti-inflammatory
medication. The most challenging part for many athletes is avoiding activities
that specifically aggravate this condition.
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis-
Occurring
not far from the location of Achilles Tendonitis, Posterior Tibial Tendonitis is less common, but
should be considered in people with symptoms of pain on the inner side of the
ankle. Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
typically
causes pain with walking, and can make it almost impossible to stand up on your
toes.
Left
untreated, Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
can result in a
flat foot. Usual treatments for
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
include
temporary immobilization and physical therapy. Changes in footwear
such as supportive shoes and orthotics can be helpful for prevention.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis-
Many
patients who have pain are told by their doctor they have shoulder bursitis or rotator cuff
tendonitis. This common cause of shoulder pain is the result of irritation to
the tendons that help to lift the arm away from your side as well as
inflammation of the bursa that surrounds those tendons. Treatment of rotator
cuff tendonitis
can almost always be accomplished with non-surgical treatments although in some
rare situations surgery may become necessary.
Tennis (or Golfer’s) Elbow Tendonitis -Tennis
Elbow Tendinitis occurs where the tendons of the forearm muscles attach to the bones in the elbow. As the name suggests,
playing a racquet sport such as tennis is a common cause of the condition. The
repeated motions of the backhand and forearm stroke or a serve with poor
athletic form can cause chronic stress to the forearm and cause the tendon to
get injured. Symptoms can include severe burning pain and tenderness at the
outer side of the elbow and forearm, stiffness, muscle weakness, and aching.
Pain may gradually
increase over weeks or months and when movement or pressure is applied to the
outer elbow area.
The tendon condition occurring in patients with tennis elbow typically is
characterized by micro-tears of the tendon called tendinosis. Avoiding aggravating activities is clearly the
most important aspect of treatment, and some physical therapy strengthening
exercises can be helpful. Injections for tennis
elbow
are controversial but often used for treatment.
Golfer’s Elbow Tendinitis
is pain more common among golfers. Pain is more acute when trying to lift
against a force. The pain sometimes radiates down to the wrist. This most frequently happens during repetitive motions such
as those used during a golf swing or work activities. The main symptoms of
golfer’s elbow include pain that radiates down the forearm and tenderness at
the inner side of the elbow that increases during grasping motions and when
bending the palm towards the wrist.
Wrist Tendonitis-
Wrist Tendonitis is a common problem
that can cause pain and swelling around the wrist joint. Wrist tendonitis is
due to inflammation of the tendons and often involves fluid accumulation in the
tendon sheath. Limiting wrist movement with short-term splinting is often helpful
in treatment of this condition. One of the most important aspects is to
identify the tendon or tendons that are causing the problem so that treatment
can be targeted to the problem. Splinting will not be effective if the
problematic tendons are not being rested. Treatment of Wrist Tendonitis
usually does not require surgery. This can
affect
badminton players and production line workers, who repeatedly use the same
motion with their wrist.
Tendonitis can’t always be prevented, but you can reduce
your chances of developing it by:
·
Exercising
safely to keep your muscles strong and flexible
·
Stretching
properly before exercising
·
Regularly
resting the tendon if you are prone to repetitive movements or overuse (such as
while playing sport or due to your occupation).
Treatment aims to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. In
many cases, the following will be enough. They include resting the joint, hot
and cold treatment, pain relievers (such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen
available over-the-counter), or splinting of the affected joint. Corticosteroid injections around
the tendon may help alleviate symptoms. Repeated injections may weaken the
tendon, significantly increasing the risk of a rupture. Physical therapy, which involves manipulating
and massaging the affected area may provide relief and accelerate the healing
process.
If tendinitis persists, and there are calcium deposits around
the tendon, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may help. A shock wave is
passed through the skin, breaking up the calcium deposits. The deposits may
also be removed surgically. Without proper treatment, tendinitis can more
easily result in a tendon rupture. This is a more serious condition that may
need surgery.
“It is our suffering that brings us together. It is not love. Love does not obey the mind, and turns to hate when forced. The bond that binds us is beyond choice. We are brothers. We are brothers in what we share. In pain, which each of us must suffer alone, in hunger, in poverty, in hope, we know our brotherhood. “(Ursula K. Le Guin)[i]
[i] Sources used:
·
“6 Types of
Tendonitis Prone to Irritation” By Jonathan Cluett
·
“Tendinitis:
Symptoms, causes, and treatment” by Yvette Brazier
·
“Types of Tendonitis” by the Bone & Joint Center
“Types of Tendonitis” by the Bone & Joint Center
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