🔥 Tendonitis
Tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis) is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, the thick fibrous cords that attach muscles to bones. It commonly causes pain and tenderness near a joint.
🧠 What is a Tendon?
Tendons connect muscles to bones and help transmit the force needed to move joints. When tendons become inflamed due to overuse or injury, it leads to tendonitis.
🔍 Common Types of Tendonitis
| Area | Common Name |
|---|---|
| Shoulder | Rotator cuff tendonitis |
| Elbow | Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) / Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis) |
| Wrist | De Quervain’s tendonitis |
| Knee | Patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee) |
| Achilles tendon | Achilles tendonitis |
🧨 Causes
- Repetitive motion or overuse (common in sports and work)
- Sudden injury or strain
- Poor technique or posture
- Age-related tendon degeneration
- Underlying medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
⚠️ Symptoms
- Pain and tenderness along the tendon, especially during movement
- Swelling
- Stiffness or restricted movement
- Warmth or redness over the affected tendon (sometimes)
🧪 Diagnosis
- Physical exam: Identifying tender areas and pain during movement
- Imaging: Ultrasound or MRI to assess tendon damage or inflammation (if needed)
🛠️ Treatment
🩹 Conservative Care:
- Rest and avoid aggravating activities
- Ice packs to reduce pain and swelling
- NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
- Physical therapy: Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Activity modification and ergonomic adjustments
💉 Advanced Treatments:
- Corticosteroid injections (short-term relief)
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections (experimental)
- Surgery (rare, for severe or chronic tendon damage)
🛡️ Prevention Tips
- Warm up and stretch before activity
- Use proper technique and ergonomics
- Gradually increase activity intensity
- Strengthen surrounding muscles
- Take breaks to avoid repetitive strain