Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that attaches bone to muscle. The symptoms that you may feel are pain at the site of the tendon and surrounding area or loss of motion in the shoulder also called “frozen shoulder.” Tendinitis can occur in almost any area of the body where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle.
The most common places are:
- Base of the thumb
- Elbow
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Knee
- Achilles tendon
Initial Treatment
- Avoid activities that aggravate the problem
- Resting the injured area
- Icing the area the day of the injury
- Take anti-inflammatory drugs or gels for the affected area
Advanced Treatment
- Steroid injections can be used to decrease the inflammation and pain pretty quickly
- Physical Therapy is beneficial because it includes range-of-motion exercises and splinting.
What Happens Without Treatment?
Without proper treatment, tendinitis can increase your risk of experiencing tendon rupture — a much more serious condition that may require surgical repair.
Preventative Measures
Ease Up
Avoid activities that place excessive stress on tendons especially for prolonged periods.
Stretch First
Before you exercise, take time to stretch in order to maximize the range of motions of your joints.
Use proper workplace ergonomics
Get an ergonomic assessment of your workspace; this will help protect all your joints and tendons from excessive stress.
Prepare your muscles.
Strengthen muscles used in your chosen activity or sport can help them better withstand stress and load.
Walk-In Clinic
Orthopedic emergencies don’t happen on a typical doctors schedule. We aren’t your typical doctors…
We work late – for you
