If you are experiencing arm pain, shoulder, or elbow, you may be suffering from Tendinitis. Tendinitis occurs due to inflammation of the tendon. The tendon is a band of tissues that connects muscle to bone. There are many different causes of Tendinitis, and it can be challenging to diagnose. This blog post will be discussing the symptoms, causes, and treatment of Tendinitis.
What is Tendinitis?
Tendinitis is an inflammation or discomfort of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. Where does Tendinitis occur? The condition can occur in your body’s tendons, but it’s most common around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. The ends of your bones have smooth and rubbery pads called cartilage. These act as cushions between the bones and help the joints move smoothly. Each time you move a joint, the cartilage absorbs some force.
Tendons are strong cords of tissue that attach muscles to bones. Tendon connects and helps move bones and joints. When you move your arm, for example, the tendon in your upper arm muscle contracts (shortens); this pulls on the tendon in your shoulder, which pulls on the bone in your shoulder (the humerus).
The bones in your body are held together by ligaments. Ligaments are rugged bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. They help keep the bones in place and stabilize the joint.
Tendons, muscles, cartilage, and ligaments all work together to allow you to move your joints. As tendons age, they are less elastic and tolerate less stress. When any of these tissues become injured or inflamed, it can cause pain and limit movement. Tendinitis causes pain and tenderness over a joint. You might also have swelling, weakness, and difficulty moving the affected joint.
Causes of Tendinitis
Tendinitis is usually caused by overuse or injury. It can occur when you make the same motion repeatedly, like typing on a keyboard or playing tennis. The inflammation can result from an injury, such as a fall or a direct blow to the affected area.
In some cases, Tendinitis may be due to an infection or an autoimmune disorder. One of the most common reasons of Tendinitis is rheumatoid arthritis. In this disorder, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joints, causing inflammation and pain.
Tendinitis can also result from gout, a type of arthritis that occurs when too much uric acid builds up in the body. It can lead to crystals in the joints, which causes pain and swelling.
Symptoms of Tendinitis
Tendinitis causes pain and tenderness over a joint and the surrounding area. You might also have swelling, weakness, and difficulty moving the affected joint. The symptoms of Tendinitis vary depending on the location of the inflamed tendon. There is a general illness or multiple sites of pain with multiple severe problems in almost any area.
The symptoms of Tendinitis usually develop gradually. They may come on slowly over days or weeks or come on suddenly after an injury. The symptoms may also worsen with activity or when you try to move the affected joint.
Common types of Tendinitis
Some commonly occurring tendinitis are:
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles Tendonitis is a condition that happen when the Achilles tendon becomes inflamed. The Achilles tendon is the largest and most strongest tendon in the body. It sticks the calf muscle to the heel bone. It affects the tendon in the back of your heel. This condition can make it hard and difficult to walk.
Tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is a type of Tendinitis that affects the tendons in your elbow. The symptoms include pain and tenderness on the outside of your elbow. You might also have weakness and difficulty extending your arm.
Patellar Tendinitis
Patellar Tendinitis is a type of Tendinitis that affects the tendon in your knee. The symptoms include pain and tenderness in the front of your knee. You might also have weakness and difficulty straightening your leg.
Risk factors of Tendinitis
A few risk factors can increase your chances of developing Tendinitis. These include:
● Age
● Repetitive motions or activities
● Improper use of equipment
● Obesity
● Previous injuries
● Other risk factors include Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Tests for tendonitis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms, indications and medical history. They will also examine the affected area. They may request one or more of the following tests:
● X-ray
● Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
● Ultrasound
● Blood test
How is Tendinitis treated?
The treatment for tendonitis depends on the cause of the inflammation. If you have overuse or injury, you may need to rest the affected area and ice it. You might also need to take anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Treatment may include activity modification, NSAIDs, corticosteroid injections, PRP therapy, and surgery.
If activity is causing your tendonitis, you need to rest from that activity. Swelling and inflammation will decrease with decreased use and time. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin can help decrease pain and swelling. If conservative measures do not relieve your symptoms, you may need more advanced treatments like corticosteroid injection.
Other treatments include Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses the patient’s blood to stimulate healing. Surgery is not really needed for tendonitis, but it may be helpful if there is significant damage to the tendon.
How does therapy help people with tendonitis?
As illustrated by the American college National Institute, two therapeutic treatments are available for people with Tendinitis. These treatments include:
Physical therapy
Physical therapy can help improve from the range of motion and reduce pain. A therapist can help you stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the affected area. Therapists may also use heat or cold to help relieve pain and promote healing. They may use ultrasound or electrical stimulation to promote healing in some cases.
Occupational therapy
Occupational therapy is one of the most effective ways to treat Tendinitis. OT can help you manage your condition and return to your previous level of function. Moreover, it aids you in finding ways to do your daily activities without worsening your symptoms. The therapist may explain how to use devices, such as splints, to protect the affected joint.
Tips to avoid Tendinitis
There are some things you can do to help prevent Tendinitis:
● Warm up before you exercise.
● Stretch after you exercise.
● Use ice or a cold pack after you exercise, if needed.
● Resting the injured area
● Alternate between activities that stress your tendons and activities that rest your tendons.
● Wear appropriate shoes when you exercise.
● Use the correct form when you exercise.
● Take breaks during extended periods of activity.
Final thoughts
To sum it up, Tendinitis is a common condition that can cause pain and inflammation in the tendons. It can result from overuse, injury, or infection. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, and medications to reduce pain and inflammation. Surgery may be necessary in some cases. All the mentioned are details you need to know about Tendinitis.
