Tendonitis occurs when a tendon becomes inflamed. This common condition is often caused by overuse, injury, repetitive movement, or prolonged inactivity. It’s noteworthy that over 70,000 adults in the U.S. miss work annually due to tendonitis. Although it can sometimes resolve on its own, untreated tendonitis can lead to chronic pain and limited mobility. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain a proper diagnosis to manage the condition effectively.
What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is a type of tendinopathy, a term that refers to any condition affecting tendons. Tendons are thick fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones, facilitating movement and supporting joints. When tendons become inflamed due to overuse or injury, it can result in pain, soreness, swelling, and restricted mobility. While tendonitis can affect any tendon in the body, it is most frequently seen in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles, areas that are often subjected to repetitive movements.
It’s important to distinguish tendonitis from tendinosis, which is a chronic degenerative condition of the tendon caused by repetitive strain and overuse. Tendonitis can often be managed with home care or physical therapy, whereas tendinosis usually requires medical intervention.
Common Types of Tendonitis
Tendonitis encompasses any type of tendon inflammation, but several specific types are more common:
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis affects the Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. It is typically caused by intense physical activities such as running and jumping, or prolonged standing or walking. While it can occur at any age, it is particularly common in athletes involved in sports that require significant running and jumping.
Peroneal Tendonitis
This type of tendonitis impacts the peroneus longus and peroneus brevis tendons in the lower leg. High-impact activities like running or jumping can cause it, as can ankle instability from an injury or wearing improper footwear.
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Posterior tibial tendonitis affects the posterior tibial tendon on the inside of the foot and ankle. It can lead to pain and swelling in the arch and heel of the foot, often due to structural conditions such as flat feet or high arches.
Symptoms of Tendonitis
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s important to consult your doctor promptly:
- Lump on the Tendon: A noticeable lump on your tendon may indicate inflammation or injury. This lump results from the tendon being overstretched and strained, causing a tear in the tissue.
- Tendon Swelling: Inflammation from tendonitis can lead to swelling around the affected tendon. This swelling might also be accompanied by redness and a sensation of warmth in the area.
- Pain and Tenderness: Tendonitis often causes pain, which can range from a dull ache to a sharp discomfort around the affected area. Tenderness is also common when pressing on or moving the tendon, due to the inflamed tissue.
- Decreased Range of Motion: Tendonitis can restrict your range of motion, making it difficult to move the affected joint completely. This limitation can cause stiffness and weakness, impacting your ability to perform daily activities.
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Common Causes of Tendonitis
- Strenuous Activities: Engaging in activities that excessively strain your tendons can lead to tendonitis. This includes running, jumping, or lifting heavy objects.
- Poor Posture: Maintaining poor posture over extended periods can strain and inflame tendons, particularly around the shoulders, neck, and hips.
- Certain Medications: Medications such as steroids and certain antibiotics can disrupt your body’s natural healing process, leading to tendonitis due to weakened or damaged tendons.
- Repetitive Movements: Repetitive motions or activities, such as typing, playing a musical instrument, or gardening, can cause tendonitis.
- Injury or Trauma: Trauma to a tendon, such as from a sudden fall or a direct blow to the area, can result in inflammation and irritation.
- Rheumatoid Arthritis: This autoimmune disease can lead to tendon inflammation by attacking the body’s tissues.
Different Treatment Options
Immobilization
For milder cases, immobilization techniques such as wraps or splints can help reduce inflammation and protect the tendon from further injury by restricting movement.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy aims to strengthen and stretch the affected muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This can help reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent future episodes of tendonitis.
NSAIDs
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to manage pain and inflammation. However, these medications do not heal the tendon itself and may become less effective with prolonged use.
Orthopedic Surgery
In severe cases where other treatments have not been successful, a doctor might recommend orthopedic surgery to repair the tendon. This surgery often involves minimally invasive techniques. While surgery can provide relief, it carries risks such as infection, blood clots, and nerve damage, and it can be costly with long recovery times.
How We Approach Tendonitis Pain
Simply addressing the symptoms provides only short-term relief from tendonitis pain. This is why the NextPain Care 3-level system utilizes a multidisciplinary and personalized treatment approach, focusing not just on symptom management but also on identifying and treating the underlying cause of your pain. By targeting the source, we aim to offer long-lasting relief.
Our NextPain Care 3-level system adopts a holistic approach to pain management, prioritizing minimally invasive procedures to offer optimal pain relief while minimizing disruption to our patients’ daily routines. Here are the treatment solutions we use to provide long-term relief from chronic tendonitis pain:
Mindfulness and Meditation for Chronic Pain
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Physical Therapy
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Epidural Steroid Injections
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Trigger Point Injections
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Manage Tendonitis and Encourage Healing Faster
We recognize the debilitating nature of tendonitis pain and its impact on daily life. Our approach goes beyond symptom management to identify and address the root cause of your discomfort. By utilizing advanced diagnostic methods and cutting-edge treatments, our goal is to deliver lasting relief.
NextPain Care is committed to offering personalized and comprehensive pain management solutions. If you’re ready to overcome tendonitis and achieve optimal healing, contact us today. Together, we will develop a treatment plan tailored to provide the relief you’ve been searching for.
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