Tendinitis

Also called: Tendonitis

Tendons are flexible bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones. They help your muscles move your bones. Tendinitis is the severe swelling of a tendon.

Tendinitis usually happens after repeated injury to an area such as the wrist or ankle. It causes pain and soreness around a joint. Some common forms of tendinitis are named after the sports that increase their risk. They include tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, pitcher's shoulder, swimmer's shoulder, and jumper's knee.

Doctors diagnose tendinitis with your medical history, a physical exam, and imaging tests. The first step in treatment is to reduce pain and swelling. Rest, wrapping or elevating the affected area, and medicines can help. Ice is helpful for recent, severe injuries. Other treatments include ultrasound, physical therapy, steroid injections, and surgery.

Symptoms of Tendinitis

The following features are indicative of Tendinitis:
  • pain when moving the limb or joint
  • tenderness
  • mild swelling

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Common Causes of Tendinitis

The following are the most common causes of Tendinitis:
  • sudden injury
  • repetitive motions of tendon
  • stress on the tendons

Risk Factors for Tendinitis

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Tendinitis:
  • older age
  • repetitive motions
  • awkward positions
  • frequent overhead reaching
  • vibration
  • forceful exertion
  • playing baseball, basketball, golf, swimming and tennis

Prevention of Tendinitis

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Tendinitis. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • avoiding activities that place excessive stress on tendons
  • stretching before and after doing exercise
  • using proper adjustable chair

Occurrence of Tendinitis

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Tendinitis cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Tendinitis can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Tendinitis can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Tendinitis

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Tendinitis:
  • Physical exam:
  • X-rays: To find out other conditions that may be causing signs and symptoms

Doctor for Diagnosis of Tendinitis

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Tendinitis:
  • General physician
  • Rheumatologist

Complications of Tendinitis if untreated

Yes, Tendinitis causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Tendinitis is left untreated:
  • tendinosis

Procedures for Treatment of Tendinitis

The following procedures are used to treat Tendinitis:
  • Therapy: Stretch and strengthen the affected muscle-tendon unit
  • Surgery: Surgical repair of torn tendon bone
  • Focused aspiration of scar tissue (FAST): Removes the tendon scar tissue without disturbing the surrounding healthy tendon tissue

Self-care for Tendinitis

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Tendinitis:
  • Take rest: Fasten the tissue healing process
  • Ice therapy: Decreases pain, muscle spasm and swelling
  • Compress the swollen area: Keep the area compressed until the swelling has ceased
  • Keep leg elevated: Raised the affected leg above the level of heart to reduce swelling

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Tendinitis

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Tendinitis:
  • Acupuncture: Treats chronic pain

Time for Treatment of Tendinitis

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Tendinitis to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • In 3 - 6 months

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Tendinitis.

Related Topics

Muscle Disorders

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