Tendonitis – Tendinitis Treatment

Tendonitis, like “the common cold,” is a widely used but misunderstood term. It is often inaccurately applied to any type of routine muscle pain. Tendonitis is, in fact, a serious condition with very specific causes and treatments. Ignored or neglected, it can quickly develop into a chronic, debilitating condition.

Tendonitis occurs when the tendons of the body – the thick cords that hold the muscles and the bones together – become overstretched or injured in some manner. Sudden, excessive stretching or simply pulling them too hard may result in tendonitis. Repeated movement can place additional strain on these already-inflamed tendons, triggering pain whenever the affected area is moved. In time, the pain resulting from tendonitis can become so severe that the simplest of everyday activities – opening a jar or answering the telephone – become all but impossible.

Many different types of tendonitis affect various parts of the body. Among the most common are elbow tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis, and rotator cuff tendonitis (also known as shoulder tendonitis). Sports-related injuries and general overexertion are often to blame for these occurrences of tendonitis. Wrist tendonitis has been observed more and more frequently in the past decade as our dependence on electronic communications such as e-mail and texting has increased: these repetitive activities are resulting in a higher incidence of tendonitis in young people.

Appropriate treatment for tendonitis will depend on how advanced the condition has become. Milder cases can be treated with ice packs or anti-inflammatory medications. Bracing the affected area to give support to the inflamed tendon is also helpful, as are simple stretching exercises. However, because treatment is often not sought until the condition is severe, tendonitis surgery may be the best option for repairing a torn or damaged tendon. Consult your physician to determine the right treatment for you.