What Is Tendinitis?

Tendons are thick cords that join your muscles to your bones. When these tendons become irritated or inflamed, it is called tendinitis. This condition causes acute pain and tenderness, making it difficult to move the affected joint.

Tendinitis can be a result of an injury, repetitive movement, aging, or disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Any tendon can develop tendinitis, but you are most likely to develop the condition in your shoulder, elbow, heel, or wrist.

Tendinitis may also be called swimmer’s shoulder, jumper’s knee, pitcher’s shoulder, golfer’s or tennis elbow.

Causes of Tendinitis

The most common cause of tendinitis is repetitive action, which overuse the tendons needed to make a certain movement. Usually, people develop tendinitis if they frequently make the same motion while playing sports or at work. The risk increases if the motion is not performed correctly.

Tendinitis can also result from:

injury

aging

certain diseases, such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis

Athletes who play certain sports—such as tennis, golf, bowling, or basketball—are at higher risk for tendinitis. You also may be at a higher risk if your job requires a lot of physical exertion, overhead lifting, and awkward positions.

Signs of Tendinitis

The pain from tendinitis is typically a dull ache that is concentrated around the affected area or joint. It will increase when you move the injured area. The area will be tender and you will feel increased pain if someone touches it. You may experience a tightness that makes it difficult to move the area. You may also have some swelling.

If you develop the symptoms of tendinitis, begin by resting the area and applying ice. If your condition does not improve after a few days of rest, make an appointment to see your doctor.

Diagnosing Tendinitis

At your appointment, your doctor will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam of the area where the pain is concentrated. He or she will examine your tenderness and range of motion.

Be prepared to tell your doctor about:

recent or past injuries to the area in pain

your past and present physical and sporting activities

any previously diagnosed medical conditions

all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal supplements you take

If your doctor cannot make a diagnosis using just a physical examination, he or she may order additional tests. These could include X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or ultrasounds.

Treating Tendinitis

Treatment options for tendinitis seek to reduce pain and inflammation in the tendon. Some basic home remedies include:

resting or elevating the tendon, as advised by your doctor

applying cold or heat

taking medications, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines like aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and acetaminophen

wrapping the area in a compression bandage until the swelling goes away

doing stretching and straightening exercises to build strength in the area

If your condition is more severe, your doctor may also recommend:

corticosteroid injections: a single injection can reduce pain and inflammation, but repeated injections can cause the tendon to weaken and increase your chances of injury

supports: depending on the location of your tendinitis, you may benefit from the use of a cane, splints, or braces

surgery: to remove inflammatory tissue

physical therapy

When treated early, tendinitis usually resolves quickly. For some people, it can recur and become a chronic or long-term, problem. If repetitive movements or overuse led to your tendinitis, you should change those behaviors to reduce your risk of developing it again.

You can cause additional injury—such as a tendon rupture—if the inflammation continues without treatment. Surgery is often necessary for a tendon rupture, and for those patients who do not respond well to other treatments. The surgery removes any inflammatory tissue and is usually done as an outpatient procedure.

Preventing Tendinitis

Take these simple steps to lower your chances of developing tendinitis:

keep physically fit and build your muscle tone

warm up before exercising

avoid overuse and repetitive motions

cross-train, if you are an athlete

use proper posture when working at a desk or at other tasks

do not remain in the same position for too long, and move around periodically

use proper equipment at work and during athletic activities

If you begin to feel the pain of tendinitis, stop the activity you are performing. Take a 20-minute break to apply ice and rest.

Source: http://www.healthline.com