Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, a thick, flexible cord of tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendonitis allow muscles to move bones. Tendinitis typically affects the shoulder, bicep, elbow, hand, wrist, thumb, calf, knee, or ankle. Tendinitis discomfort is commonly confused with arthritis because it develops near a joint. Adults over the age of 40 are more likely to develop the illness, as do athletes. Some types of tendinitis are named after specific sports.
Causes
Sports injuries and repetitive movements are common causes of tendinitis. However, it may also result from:
- Poor posture and walking habits.
- An infection.
- An irregular or poorly positioned joint or bone can cause stress on soft tissues.
- Some kinds of arthritis and associated disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout).
- Diabetes is one example of a metabolic condition.
- Certain medications can cause side effects (for example, fluoroquinolone antibiotics and statin meds), but this is extremely rare.
What are the symptoms of tendonitis?
The most common signs of tendinitis are:
- Pain in the tendon and surrounding area. This ache can worsen as you move.
- Stiff joints or joint mobility issues. When you move, you may hear and feel a crackling or popping sensation.
- Swelling is frequently associated with skin discolouration (red to purple or darker than your natural skin tone).
Tendonitis can cause gradual or abrupt and severe discomfort, particularly if you have calcium deposits. Calcium deposits are calcium buildups in your tissues that appear as firm white or yellow pimples on your skin. These pimples may create itching skin.
Where will my tendonitis symptoms appear?
Tendinitis can occur practically anywhere on your body when a tendon joins a bone to a muscle. The most common places are:
- The base of your thumb.
- The elbow, commonly around the outer section of the forearm with your palm facing up, where the tendon connects to the outside aspect of the elbow.
- Shoulder.
- Hip.
- The knee, typically beneath the kneecap, where your tendon connects to your lower leg (tibia).
- The Achilles tendon joins your calf muscles to the heel bone.
What are the risk factors for tendonitis?
Anyone can develop tendinitis. However, it is more likely in individuals who engage in repeated activities. Some of these actions are:
- Gardening/landscaping.
- Woodworking.
- Shovelling.
- Painting.
- Scrubbing.
- Playing sports such as tennis, golf, and baseball.
Other risk factors for tendinitis are:
- Poor posture.
- Certain disorders may cause your muscles to weaken.
- Your age.
- After the age of 40, your tendons become less elastic, less stress-tolerant, and more prone to tears.
How is tendonitis treated?
There are two steps to treating tendinitis. The first phase involves:
On the day of your injury,
- ice the affected region.
- Avoiding activities that produce symptoms. Resting the afflicted area.
- Taking over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatory medication.
If tendinitis does not improve within three weeks, a healthcare physician will recommend additional treatment, which may include:
- Corticosteroid injections: Corticosteroids (often known as “steroids”) operate swiftly to reduce inflammation and pain in your tendon.
- Physical therapy: includes range of motion exercises and splinting (thumb, forearm, or hands). Physical treatment will focus on lowering inflammation, increasing soft tissue mobility to the muscle (from which the tendon originates), and gradually regaining movement, function, and strength. With tendinitis-type injuries, progressive loading of the tendon (eccentric loading) is critical for improving the condition and restoring function.
- Surgery: Surgery is rarely necessary and is reserved for serious symptoms that have not responded to other therapies.
Are there any side effects of the treatment?
Before beginning therapy, consult with your doctor about potential adverse effects. You might experience:
- Pain at the injection site if you have corticosteroid injections.
- Soreness following physical therapy.
- Bleeding or infection following surgery.
Conclusion:
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