Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, which is the tough cord of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone. The inflammation can affect any tendon in the body, but it most frequently affects the tendons in the knees, elbows, shoulders, wrists, and heels.
Tendonitis can be a painful joint condition, and without proper treatment it can worsen and lead to chronic complications. Tendonitis can often be treated successfully with nonsurgical treatments, such as resting the area and participating in physical therapy.
What Are the Common Symptoms?
If you have tendon inflammation, it can cause symptoms including:
- Joint pain, aching, or stiffness, especially when moving the affected limb or joint
- Tenderness in the affected area
- Mild swelling in the affected area
What Causes Tendonitis?
Tendonitis can result from a sudden injury, but it primarily occurs gradually from the repetition of a particular movement such as during sports, work, or certain hobbies that put stress on the tendons. There are a number of factors that can increase your risk of developing tendonitis, such as an occupation that involves repetitive motions, frequent overhead reaching, awkward positions, vibration, and forceful exertion.
Certain types of tendonitis are also common in sports, such as:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
- Pitcher’s shoulder
- Swimmer’s shoulder
- Jumper’s knee
Complications of Tendon Inflammation
If tendonitis is left untreated, you could develop chronic tendonitis, a tendon rupture (a complete tear of the tendon), or tendonosis (which is degenerative). Chronic tendonitis can cause the tendon to degenerate and weaken over time.
A ruptured tendon can cause immediate sharp pain, weakness, immobility, and swelling in the affected area. You may also experience a popping or snapping sound when the injury occurs.
Tendonosis involves degenerative changes, such as fraying, micro-tears, and abnormal new blood vessel growth in the tendon. It can cause pain, stiffness, and restricted movement, and sometimes there may be a visible and tender lump.
How Is Tendonitis Treated?
Nonsurgical modalities such as resting the area, physical therapy, and massage may be all that is required for complete healing of the inflamed tendon. A full tendon rupture may require surgery to repair the torn tissue, particularly for individuals with active lifestyles and who want to return to strenuous recreational activities as soon as possible. Healing time for tendon injuries varies considerably between individuals, depending on your age, fitness, and extent of the injury.
Nonsurgical Treatment for Tendonitis near Austin, Round Rock, Manor, Pflugerville, Cedar Park, Bee Caves, and Hutto
Physical therapy aims to restore your function and mobility while eliminating or minimizing the pain of tendonitis. It focuses primarily on improving the area’s muscle strength, flexibility, endurance, and coordination.
If you are suffering from tendonitis or joint pain, Endeavor Physical Therapy & Wellness can help you get back to your active lifestyle. Our experienced physical therapists provide effective treatment for all parts of the body, and we treat each patient individually with a personalized therapy program.
To find out more about the services and treatments we provide or to request a consultation, call us today at (512) 284-7192 or request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to helping you get back to feeling like yourself again!
