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Tendonitis

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon, the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones, often caused by overuse, aging, acute injury, or biomechanical imbalances.
Commonly affecting areas like the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, or ankle, symptoms include localized pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited movement. Diagnosis involves physical examination and imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs.
Treatment typically includes rest, ice, NSAIDs, and physical therapy, with steroid injections or surgery for severe cases. Prevention focuses on gradually increasing activity, stretching, strengthening, and maintaining proper movement patterns to protect tendons long-term.
Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is the thick, fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. In an orthopedic setting, it is a common condition, especially among individuals who engage in repetitive movements or strenuous physical activities. It often affects areas like the shoulder (rotator cuff), elbow (tennis or golfer's elbow), wrist, knee (patellar tendon), or ankle (Achilles tendon).


Causes

Tendonitis is typically caused by:

  • Overuse or repetitive motion: Repetitive movements, such as those seen in sports or certain occupations, can overload tendons, causing microtears and inflammation.
  • Aging: Tendons lose elasticity as people age, increasing the risk of injury.
  • Acute injuries: A sudden increase in physical activity or direct trauma to the tendon can trigger inflammation.
  • Biomechanical imbalances: Improper movement mechanics or alignment issues can place excess stress on tendons.


Symptoms

  • Pain localized around the tendon, often worsening with movement or activity
  • Swelling and tenderness in the affected area
  • A grating sensation or stiffness in the joint
  • Limited range of motion due to discomfort


Diagnosis

Orthopedic specialists diagnose tendonitis through a combination of:

  • Physical examination: Identifying pain, swelling, or tenderness around the tendon.
  • Imaging tests: X-rays to rule out bone-related issues or MRI/ultrasound to detect
    soft tissue inflammation or damage.

Treatment

  • Conservative measures: Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) are
    typically the first-line treatment, along with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
    (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Physical therapy: Strengthening exercises, stretching, and ultrasound therapy
    to restore tendon flexibility and strength.
  • Steroid injections: Corticosteroid injections and Platelet Rich Plasma Injections
    may be used to decrease inflammation in severe cases.
  • Surgical intervention: In cases of chronic tendonitis or tendon rupture, surgery
    may be necessary to repair damaged tissue.

Prevention

  •  Gradually increasing activity levels
  • Incorporating stretching and strengthening exercises to improve tendon resilience
  • Ensuring proper ergonomic and biomechanical movement patterns.
In an orthopedic context, managing tendonitis effectively requires a combination of targeted treatment to reduce inflammation and a longer-term plan to strengthen and protect the affected tendon.It often affects areas like the shoulder (rotator cuff), elbow (tennis or golfer's elbow), wrist, knee (patellar tendon), or ankle (Achilles tendon).

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