Tendonitis
What is Tendonitis ?
Tendinitis/Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon — the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint.
While tendinitis can occur in any of your tendons, it’s most common around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels. Some common names for various tendinitis problems are tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, pitcher’s shoulder, swimmer’s shoulder, and jumper’s knee. Most cases of tendinitis can be successfully treated with rest, physical therapy, and medications to reduce pain. If tendinitis is severe and leads to the rupture of a tendon, you may need surgery.
Symptoms
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Mild swelling
- Stiff joints
- Hearing and feeling a cracking or popping
- Warmth
- Snapping or catching sensation
- Weakness
- Difficulty sleeping
- Pain that worsens with activity
Cause
Tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury. But repeating the same movement over time is a much more likely cause. Most people develop tendinitis because their jobs or hobbies involve motions that they repeat, over and over. This puts stress on tendons. Moving correctly is especially important when having to repeat movements for sports or a job. Moving incorrectly can overload the tendon and lead to tendinitis.
Risk Factors
Anyone can get tendonitis. But it’s more common in those who do repetitive activities. Some of these activities include gardening/landscaping, Woodworking, Shoveling, painting, Scrubbing, playing sports like tennis, golf, or baseball. Other risk factors for tendonitis include poor posture and the presence of certain conditions that can weaken your muscles. Your age. After age 40, your tendons tolerate less stress, are less elastic, and tear more easily.
When to see a Doctor
Most cases of tendinitis respond to self-care. See your health care provider if your symptoms don’t lessen after a few days and if they get in the way of daily activities.