Tendinitis is also known as tendonitis. It is generally the inflammation of a tendon, typically when somebody over uses or damages it while engaging in physical activities. Affected tendons may include the heel, shoulder, elbow, and other joints.
A Brief Discussion on Tendinitis
The irritation or inflammation of a tendon that causes it to swell is called tendinitis. The loops of collagen fibres called tendons, that connect muscles to bones help them to move. They can stretch and bear strain since they are tough and flexible at the same time.
Tendinitis generally occurs after a repetitive strain or excessive injury. It generally happens in the shoulders, knees, ankles, and elbows. In tendinitis, you feel pain and irritation near your affected joint. It can be either long-term pain or short-term pain.
Different Types of Tendinitis
Tendinitis happens in different parts of bodies. They are as follows:
Patellar tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis, commonly known as jumper’s knees, is an injury in which the tissue (tendon) connecting the shin bone to the kneecap gets affected. This patellar tendon helps extend the knee, because of which kicking, running, and jumping are possible. This type of injury is very common in athletes.
Causes of patellar tendinitis
Putting repeated stress on the patellar tendon. This stress causes small tears in the tendon, which can repair itself. But when the tears are more in number, then inflammation takes place. It also leads to the weakening of tendons. Some of the basic symptoms include pain in the kneecap area where the tendon is attached to the shinbone.
Achilles tendonitis
It is a condition that irritates the Achilles ligament and is exceptionally common in sportspersons. This tendon is a band of tissue that connects calf muscles to the heel bone. This type of injury is commonly seen in athletes who perform high-impact activities like running in a repetitive mood. This muscle is proven to be their saviour, because of which they can perform.
The primary pain that persists with Achilles tendinitis is a sharp pain at the back of the heel, which progresses with rest and inactivity. This uncomfortable feeling is exceptional and causes swelling around the tendon. Tingling, particularly in the morning or after sitting for long intervals of time, is another symptom of the condition.
In the late stages, the pain becomes so piercing and severe that people might get weak in the affected leg and have arrested mobility during walking, running, or climbing stairs. The condition can also cause thickening of the tendon, and when it is left untreated, the situation becomes worse, and the person may end up with the tendon ruptured or experience chronic pain.
Timely intervention with proper rest, ice, and medical care is important to reduce the effect the ailment can have on a patient and thus the potential for long-term harm.
Tennis Elbow
This problem arises when the tendons attached to the lateral epicondyle, a bony protruding part which is seen on the outside of the elbow, get inflamed. It is not just a condition that affects only tennis players; it can be experienced by anyone who uses the forearm and elbow muscles repeatedly and forcefully. The pain is often in the form of a dull, constant ache or a sharp sudden attack on the outside of the elbow that may spread to the arm. Things that require the use of hands or arms and gripping or lifting cause pain since it is made worse, which makes daily activities harder.
Causes of tennis elbow
Tennis elbow is generally caused due to overuse of muscles and ligaments of the lower arm, particularly the ones that take a portion in expanding the wrist and fingers. The consistent utilisation of the muscles comes about in the event of little tears and the development of irritation in the ligaments, which leads to diligent torment and inconvenience.
Embracing undue or untested methods by engaging in activities and sports can be a factor that raises the danger of having a tennis elbow. Andelleni, the situation often involves rest, physiotherapy, and maybe, in some cases, medicines to reduce pain and inflammation after a conclusive diagnosis.
Swimmer’s shoulder
The term “swimmer’s shoulder” is a collective name for the series of shoulder injuries and conditions that are largely experienced by swimmers. This syndrome occurs mainly due to the inflammation or irritation of the shoulder structures, especially the rotator cuff tendons, which are the muscles for the shoulder joint.
The pain generally starts on the front or side of the shoulder and can be characterised by stiffness, swelling, and a limited range of motion. Performances such as swimming strokes that have a repetitive overhead motion can enhance the pain, and then it will be practically impossible for people to carry out their daily activities or sports.
Causes of swimmer’s shoulder
Swimmer’s shoulder is a result of the repetitive stress and overuse of the deltoid muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Swimmers, as a rule, do the placing of the arm in a position over the head, which leads to tensing the head of the headdress as well as the bursa, that is, the synovial bursa (a sac of fluid in the joint that cushions it).
Swimming is a constant movement of the arms and shoulders and can be responsible for the development of bursitis, tendonitis, or other diseases, such as impingement syndrome, a condition in which the tendons are compressed or pinched within the shoulder joint. The continuous movement of the shoulder joint can lead to the development of tendonitis, bursitis, or even a novel condition called impingement syndrome.
Other factors, including improper swimming technique, muscle imbalances, or inadequate warming up and stretching, might exacerbate the swimmer’s shoulder. The approach for treatment is most frequently rest, physical therapy, and changes in swimming technique, which, in turn, will help to prevent future injuries.
Common Causes of Tendinitis
There are many causes of tendinitis; here are some:
- Stretch from sudden movement.
- A serious and deep injury.
- Doing heavy work for a long duration.
- Excessive and repetitive movements like swimming, throwing, or running for a long duration.
- Side effects of medication also cause tendinitis; drugs and statins that make the cholesterol level low or fluoroquinolone antibiotics affect joints.
- A few health conditions can also cause tendinitis, like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid joint pain, gout/pseudogout, contamination, and diabetes.
- Following poor sitting posture for a long duration also leads to pain and inflammation in the joints.
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Symptoms of tendinitis
Some of the symptoms of tendinitis are as follows:
- The injured joint gets stiff and it becomes difficult to move the affected area.
- You can feel or hear the popping or cracking sensation when you move the affected area.
- Face severe pain in the area of the tendon and nearby area.
- The affected area starts swelling up, and the colour also changes to purple or darker as compared to your natural skin tone.
Treatment Available for Tendinitis
Here are the treatments for tendinitis that are usually recommended by doctors and physiotherapists to combat the symptoms.
Hot and cold therapy
Tendinitis symptoms can be effectively relieved by hot and cold therapy. Cold therapy, such as ice packs, helps reduce inflammation and numb the concerned area, which results in the elimination of acute pain. You can use a cold pack for 15-20 minutes multiple times a day. On the other hand, you can also use heat therapy which is also beneficial in tendinitis. Apply warm compresses or heating pads which promote blood circulation and loosen stiff muscles.
Rest
Taking a break from activities that stress the affected tendon aids in reducing inflammation and consequently prevents the development of further damage. Rest allows the tendons to repair and gain power, resulting in recovery.
Pain Relievers
Pain control drugs such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin are used to relieve pain and swelling and are used as a main option to relieve symptoms and improve function.
Sound wave therapy
Shock wave therapy reduces the inflammation. Applying high-energy sound waves is an effective method for the treatment of tendinitis. It brings relief from the pain and helps to heal with a 70-80% recovery rate.
Physical therapy
Tendinitis is treated with physical therapy by incorporating specific exercises and techniques that increase the movement, strength, and flexibility of the patient while alleviating the pain and swelling. It is done through processes like manual therapy, ultrasound, and iontophoresis.
Handy Tips to Manage Tendinitis
There are certain tips to ponder in effectively managing it. Here are some of the best ones-
- Avoid sitting in the same position for a long duration
- Avoid doing hard exercise for a long duration.
- Do not carry heavy objects using one hand, as it creates pressure on the side of the body.
- Schedule regular pauses from hard work
- Warm up before doing the exercise.
- Increase the level of activity gradually
- Assure wearing shoes and gears of the right fit
When Should I Contact the Healthcare Provider?
You should consult a physician immediately if you face any of these problems:
- When the body temperature rises over 100 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius.
- If the affected area starts swelling and the colour of the skin changes to red.
- Pain in multiple areas.
- Being unable to relocate the impacted area.
- Strengthening the nearby muscles might lessen the pressure on the tendons.
Risk Factors Associated with Tendinitis
Tendinitis is more common in certain individuals than in others. Some of the tendinitis risk factors are:
Age: As people get older, their tendon stiffens and increases their vulnerability to the condition.
Sports: Repetitive motions are frequently the root of tendinitis in sports like tennis, golf, and jogging.
Profession: Overuse injuries are more common in those whose jobs involve repetitive movements.
Some health conditions: People who are suffering from kidney diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout are more at risk of suffering from tendinitis.
Conclusion
A tendon overuse injury that results in tendon inflammation is tendinitis. Individuals who engage in repetitive motion-intensive jobs or sports are more susceptible to these kinds of injuries. Most patients recover with ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain relievers. To aid in the healing process, you should check with a doctor for the right therapies and treatments to recover faster.
