Tendonitis is a painful condition that is a result of inflammation in one or more tendons. Tendons are the fibrous cords that connect a muscle to a bone, enabling the bone to move.
The joint areas that are most commonly affected by tendonitis are the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and knees. The pain is felt right next to a joint.
Acute tendonitis can become chronic if the underlying causes are not addressed and rectified. Fortunately, tendonitis is an orthopedic condition that can usually be treated using conservative, nonsurgical methods. Let’s talk about how to squelch this condition once and for all, and where you can go in South Texas if you have joint pain that is not responding to home-based remedies.
How Can I Prevent Tendonitis?
Usually, tendonitis is caused by repetitive movements that stress the tendons and, over time, lead to inflammation. If you have an office job, the way your workstation is set up could be contributing to tendonitis. While working at a computer, your back should be straight, your desk adjusted to be at the proper height, and your computer screen at or slightly below your eye level. These will help to keep your tendons in the shoulders, arms, and wrists relaxed while you work.
People who work in non-office jobs, and those who play sports, can also develop tendonitis. In order to avoid this, take frequent breaks, stretch every so often, and keep your muscles strong and flexible to support the tendons properly.
How Is Tendonitis Best Treated?
To relieve the symptoms of tendonitis and to foster healing of the inflamed tendon, the RICE method works well for most patients. This involves doing the following for the affected area:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
Taking over-the-counter pain relievers can also help to ease the pain and tenderness. Because the adjacent muscles have become tense and weak, a physical therapy program that targets these muscles will build strength and will make you less prone to tendon injuries in the future.
If the tendon does not heal, then your orthopedic doctor may recommend surgery. Usually, a complete tear of the tendon and cases where the tendon has separated from the bone do not heal on their own. During tendon repair surgery, the surgeon stitches the torn ends of the tendon back together or reattaches the tendon to the bone. This will be followed by weeks of rest in order to allow the tendon to fully heal, and physical therapy will help you to gradually restore movement in the affected joint.
Tendonitis Treatment in San Antonio, TX
It is difficult to assess the severity of a tendon injury without a medical evaluation. To get the best and most efficient treatment possible for your joint pain, see an experienced orthopedic doctor.
Our orthopedic surgeons here at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine regularly treat tendon injuries, so athletes and non-athletes alike can get back to enjoying an active lifestyle again. We can quickly diagnose and treat your injury, and we also offer superior physical therapy and rehabilitation programs.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment with an orthopedic physician, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (210) 692-7400 or by filling out our convenient request form. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
