An inflammation, irritation or swelling of a tendon (fibrous structure joining muscle to bone) is defined as tendonitis. Other names that it may be called are tendinitis or becipital tendinitis. There are many causes for tendonitis such as when a joint is overused during exercising, workouts, or during sports, an injury, or even the aging process. It can also occur as a result of a disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes. Tendinosis is another term you may encounter as you explore the topic of tendonitis. Tendinosis is tendon degeneration.
You may suspect tendonitis if you have symptoms of the condition such as pain and tenderness along where a tendon is located such as around a joint. Common locations are the elbow, ankle, wrist, shoulder, knee and hip. The pain becomes worse when you move or are doing an activity that uses that joint. The pain is usually worse at night.
A medical doctor makes the diagnosis upon physical examination. The doctor will look for tenderness along a tendon, will assess your medical history including your symptoms and may conduct tests that are specific to tendons.
After the diagnosis of tendonitis the doctor will prescribe a treatment plan that will reduce inflammation and relieve the pain. The plan will include rest of the joint that is affected, immobilization until recovery, which may involve a brace or splint or a removable brace and the application of cold or heat to the area.
Your doctor may also prescribe some medication to aid in the reduction of inflammation. The medication may include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as aspirin (ASA) or ibuprofen both of which are effective at both reducing the inflammation and relieving the pain of tendonitis. The doctor may also give you steroid injections into the tendon sheath. This is sometimes done prior to physical therapy in order to reduce the pain so that the physical therapist can manipulate the joint without causing you extreme pain.
You will be told to rest the joint and not to use it for activity until it is healed. Tendonitis usually responds well to these treatments. Rest is very important to the healing process.
If you symptoms do not subside after 3 weeks or if they become severe you should see your doctor.
There are possible complications of tendonitis including recurrence of tendonitis and chronic inflammation of the tendon, which may lead to further injury, such as a tendon rupture.
To prevent tendonitis it is important that you warm up before exercising or participating in workouts or sports. Repetitive motion can cause tendonitis so examine the work environment to be sure that the motions that you make in doing your tasks will not cause you stress. This includes checking out your posture, which is affected by the height of your chair and desk and position of your computer and monitor. It is important to keep your muscles strong and flexible to prevent tendonitis.
