What is tendonitis and what causes it?

Tendonitis, the painful inflammation of connective tissue near joints, often can be treated without help from a healthcare professional.

Tendons, the fibrous strands of tough but elastic tissue that attach muscles to bones, can become inflamed, usually as a result of overuse. This is tendonitis. Many cases of it are related to age. As you grow older, your tendons can lose elasticity, making them increasingly prone to injury. Tendonitis can be brought on also by underlying conditions like arthritis and gout.

Whatever its cause, tendonitis makes movement painful enough to prohibit many kinds of physical activity, including your duties at work and your enjoyment of sports. If you recognize the symptoms early, you may be able to treat the condition on your own. More serious injuries to tendons require help from a healthcare professional.

What parts of the body are susceptible?

Exercise is great. But, like everything else that's good in moderation, it can be overdone. Too much tennis, for example, can bring about a condition called tennis elbow, a type of tendonitis that affects the elbow. Other parts of the body that are susceptible to tendonitis include these:

• Wrist. This form of tendonitis is due to inflammation of the tendon sheath surrounding the joints of the wrist. Irritated tendons can be partly responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Foot. Achilles tendonitis causes pain and swelling in the back of the heel.
• Knee. Patellar tendonitis is often called jumper's knee.
• Shoulder. Pain here is often referred to as rotator cuff tendonitis.

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What does tendonitis feel like?

Discomfort caused by tendonitis can range from mild to severe. Generally, the more pain you feel, the greater the damage done to the tendons. Here's a list of symptoms in order of increasing severity:

• You may feel pain in the tendon when it's under pressure, which can come from sports activities or manual labor.
• You may find it difficult to move the affected joint and muscles.
• As tendonitis progresses, pain can occur when you touch the area.
• You may experience a burning sensation at the affected area.
• You may see that the tendons have become swollen as fluid accumulates at the affected area.

What are some effective treatments?

If the injury is not severe, you may be able to lessen pain and promote healing without professional help. However, if the pain persists no matter what steps you take, be sure to contact your physician. Treatments that have been shown to help include these:

• Rest and protection. Avoid aggravating the injury. Rest is the most important part of tendonitis treatment. Take a break and give the inflamed tendon to time to heal.
• Application of ice. This can moderate inflammation and decrease swelling.
• Anti-inflammatory medications, including over-the-counter formulations such as such as Motrin and prescription types such as Celebrex, can decrease pain and swelling.
• Use of support braces. A brace limits movement and supports the damaged tendon.
• Massage therapy. This is becoming a popular way to ease pain and aid recovery.
• Ultrasound. This technique is used by physicians to increase circulation and break down scar tissue around the injured tendon.
• Injection of cortisone. This powerful anti-inflammatory medication is injected by a physician at the site of inflammation.
• Surgery. In extreme cases, surgery may be required. Consider it last resort.

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What can be done to prevent it?

An old joke has a patient saying to his doctor, “It hurts when I do this,” and the doctor replying, “Don't do it – that'll be a hundred dollars.” The fact of the matter is tendonitis often can be prevented if you prepare in advance for physical activity and know when to quit. These tips can do a lot to keep your tendons healthy:

• Maintain good physical condition in general.
• When taking up a new activity such as jogging, ease into it slowly. Don't try to accomplish too much too soon.
• Warm up prior to exercise with an easy, slow, non-bouncing regimen of stretching.
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes designed for the activity.