Tendinitis

Tendinitis is inflammation or irritation of the tendon — the thick, fibrous cords that connect muscle to bone. The condition causes pain and tenderness with pressure just outside the joint.
While tendinitis can occur in any of your tendons, it's most common around the shoulder, elbows, wrists, knees and heels.
Some common names for several problems with tendinitis are:

• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• golfer elbow
• baseball shooters shoulder
• swimmer's shoulder
• jumper's knee

Most cases of tendinitis can be successfully treated with rest, physical therapy, and pain-reducing medications. If the tendinitis is severe and has ruptured the tendon, you may need surgery.


Signs and symptoms of tendinitis appear at the point where the tendon attaches to a bone and usually include:

• Pain sometimes described as dull pain, especially when moving the affected limb or joint
• mild tumor

Most cases of tendinitis respond to self-care measures. See your doctor if signs and symptoms persist and interfere with your daily activities for more than a few days.


Although tendinitis can result from a sudden injury, it is more likely to stem from repetition of a particular movement over time. Most people get tendinitis because their work or hobby involves repetitive motions, which puts strain on the tendons.
It is important to use proper technique especially when performing repetitive sports movements or work-related activities. Improper technique can put excessive pressure on the tendons - which can happen with lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), for example - and lead to tendinitis.


Risk factors for developing tendinitis include age, working certain jobs or playing certain sports.

• Age: As people age, tendons become less flexible, making them easier to injure.
• Occupation: Tendinitis is common in people whose occupations include:
  - Repetitive movements
  - Improper postures - Repetitive
  - lifting of the hand
  - Shaking
  - Excessive fatigue
• Sports: You may be more likely to develop tendinitis if you participate in certain sports that involve repetitive motions, especially if your techniques aren't perfect. This may happen with:
  - Baseball
  - Basketball
  - Bowling
  - Golf
  - Running
  - Swimming
  - Tennis

Without proper treatment, tendinitis can increase your risk of a tendon rupture — a more serious condition that may require surgery.
If tendon irritation persists for several weeks or months, a condition called tendinosis may develop. This condition involves degenerative changes in the tendon, along with abnormal growth of new blood vessels.


To reduce your chance of developing tendinitis, follow these suggestions:

• Slow down: Avoid exercises that put extra pressure on the tendons, especially for long periods. If you notice any pain during a particular activity, stop and rest.
• Mix them together: If one activity or exercise causes you specific or persistent pain, try another activity. Cross-training can help you mix impact-loading exercises, such as running, with lower-impact exercises, such as cycling or swimming.
• Improve your technique: If your approach to an activity or exercise is flawed, you may be putting yourself at risk for problems with your tendons. Consider taking lessons or getting professional instruction when starting a new sport or when using exercise equipment.
• Stretch: Spend some time after your workout to stretch in order to maximize the range of motion of your joints. This can help reduce repetitive trauma to the tight tissues. The best time to stretch is after exercise, when the muscles are warmed up.
• Use ergonomics for the ergonomics: If possible, get an ergonomics assessment for the workplace and adjust your chair, keyboard and desktop as recommended for your height, arm length and usual tasks. This will help protect all joints and tendons from excessive emotional stress.
• Prepare your muscles for play: Strengthening the muscles used in your activity or sports can help you withstand stress and loads better.