Relief for Tendonitis
Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis
Tendonitis: Understanding the Cause and Finding Relief
Tendonitis is a common orthopedic condition that occurs when one or more tendons - the strong, flexible cords that connect muscle to bone become inflamed or irritated.
These tendons play an essential role in helping your body move by transmitting the force of muscle contractions to the bones. When they’re overworked or injured, pain and swelling can make even simple movements difficult.
Tendonitis often develops from repetitive motion or overuse, such as in sports, physical work, or certain daily activities. It can also result from a sudden injury or impact. Though tendonitis can affect any tendon in the body, it most commonly occurs around major joints, including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle, areas that endure frequent motion and stress.
Osteoarthritis: Understanding Joint Degeneration and Pain Relief
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time, leading to pain, stiffness, and decreased mobility in the affected joint. While osteoarthritis can develop in any joint, it most often affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine—areas that bear the most daily movement and weight.
Although osteoarthritis is often associated with aging, it can also result from joint injuries, repetitive stress, obesity, genetics, or prior surgeries. Over time, the breakdown of cartilage causes bones to rub against each other, resulting in pain, swelling, and sometimes the development of bone spurs.
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Symptoms of tendonitis include aching pain, tenderness to the touch, and sometimes mild swelling of the area. These symptoms are typically exacerbated by movement.
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The broad term for these tendon conditions, which include chronic tendinosis as well as tendonitis, is tendinopathy. Particular tendon disorders are diagnosed through physical examination, X-rays and other imaging tests. Since untreated tendonitis can lead to tendinosis, a chronic and degenerative condition, tendonitis that lasts for more than a few days, should be diagnosed and treated promptly.
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If tendonitis is severe and leads to the rupture of a tendon, surgical repair may be required. In most cases, however, tendonitis can be successfully treated with rest, medications to reduce pain and inflammation, and physical therapy.
Physical therapists, in addition to helping patients strengthen their muscles and stretch to increase flexibility, are often helpful in guiding patients to more efficient movement patterns so they can avoid stressing joints and tendons in the future. Exercises to assist contraction while simultaneously stretching the muscle (eccentric stretches) have been demonstrated to be especially effective in treating muscle-tendon inflammation.
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Although tendonitis may occur because of a sudden injury, it is much more frequently the result of repetitive stress. Commonly, the condition occurs when an individual makes repetitive motions almost daily because of occupational or athletic pursuits. Tendonitis more often occurs as individuals age and their tendons become less flexible.
People whose employment involves frequent overhead reaching, vibration, repetitive motions or forceful or awkward positions are also at greater risk. Involvement in certain sports also makes individuals more likely to suffer tendonitis. Participants in baseball, basketball, golf, bowling, swimming, tennis an running are particularly vulnerable. Various forms of tendonitis are sometimes known colloquially by the sports that commonly result in the injuries, such as tennis elbow or pitcher’s shoulder.
Taking prescribed antibiotics in the fluoroquinolone family, such as Cipro and Levaquin, also presents a serious risk of tendon injury for which the FDA now requires a “black box” warning.
Arthrograms
Bursitis
Concussions
Foot and ankle pain and sprains
Physical Therapy
Snapping Hip
Tendonitis
Viscosupplement Injections
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Living with Rheumatoid Arthritis & osteoarthritis doesn’t have to mean slowing down.
Our specialists at Low Country Spine & Sport are here to help you find relief, restore movement, and protect your joint health for the long term.
Schedule a consultation today and start moving with less pain and more confidence.
Contact Lowcountry Spine & Sport today to schedule an appointment with Dr. John Batson.
843.208.2420