During movement, tendons play a pivotal role, acting as the sturdy bridges that connect muscles to bones. These enable you to execute a wide range of motions, from lifting heavy objects to walking and running. Unfortunately, your tendons are susceptible to injury and conditions like tendonitis that can make these simple tasks painful and difficult.
Whether you have tendonitis or want to help someone in their recovery journey, it’s important to be aware of what tendonitis is. Understand the condition and find out what we can do to support those affected.
Understanding Tendonitis
If you feel pain and tenderness in your joints, you might have tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation of a tendon that attaches a muscle to a bone. This inflammation causes pain, tenderness, and tenderness in the affected area. While it can occur in any tendons, it’s most commonly found around shoulders, biceps, elbows, wrists, knees, and heels.
What Can Cause Tendonitis?
The primary cause of tendonitis is overuse or repetitive strain. This can occur in individuals who participate in sports or jobs that involve repetitive movements, such as swimming, lifting, or playing tennis. Tendonitis can also develop from sudden injuries, such as falls or direct blows to the affected area.
Common Symptoms
While the symptoms of tendonitis may differ depending on the type, the biggest sign that you may have tendonitis is pain. Other common symptoms to watch out for include:
- Tenderness
- Swelling
- Decreased range of motion
- Crepitus or a creaking, crunching sound from the joint
If you experience persistent pain, especially during movement, consider seeing an orthopedist. Fortunately, tendonitis is treatable and early intervention can help prevent more serious issues. Your doctor can help you better understand your condition and support your recovery journey.
Managing Tendonitis
While tendonitis can be a debilitating condition, there are a number of things that can be done to manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. This includes strategies like:
- RICE method
- Physical therapy
- Medications for pain management
- Corticosteroid injections and
- Using special tools and equipment
How Can Tendonitis Affect Your Life?
Physically, tendonitis manifests as pain and tenderness around a joint, and it can make even the simplest tasks challenging. From brushing your teeth, climbing the stairs, or waving your hand, there can be a twinge of mild or severe pain. For athletes and active individuals, tendonitis makes it difficult to perform physical activities and freely move their bodies.
It can also take a toll on your mental health. The pain, stiffness, and decreased range of motion can lead to frustration, anxiety, and depression. People with tendonitis may feel isolated and frustrated by their limitations. They may worry about the long-term impact of the condition on their ability to work and play sports.
What You Can Do To Support Others
Remember that throughout recovery, people with tendonitis are not alone. With the help of family, friends, and their healthcare team, they can regain function and use different strategies to keep living a pain-free life.
Understanding Their Experiences
Understanding what tendonitis is and how it affects someone is key. It’s not just about the pain—it can also be the frustration, fatigue, and worries they have about their condition. Sometimes, a sympathetic ear is the best support you can offer. At the same time, you can also educate others, so they too can be more aware of the challenges of tendonitis.
Help with Everyday Tasks
Simple tasks can become painful with tendonitis. Offer to assist with activities that might strain their affected tendons. As you do things together, it’s also important to be patient. Activities might take longer for someone with tendonitis. Give them time and understand that they might need to take frequent breaks.
Support Their Orthopedist’s Plan
Whether it’s reminding them to do their prescribed exercises or to take their medication, your support can help your loved one stick to their treatment plan. You can also accompany them on their appointments for physical therapy or check-ups. This can encourage them and help them feel less alone on their recovery journey.
Provide Emotional and Social Support
You can do this by staying social while being mindful of their limitations. Invite them to participate in social activities that don’t worsen their condition. Keeping up with social interactions can boost their spirits.
At the same time, celebrate the small victories. Encourage them when they make progress, no matter how small. Overcoming tendonitis can be a slow process, and acknowledgment of improvement can be very uplifting.
Best Orthopedic Doctors in San Antonio
Tendonitis can lead to a painful and limited life. It holds people back from participating in activities they love and can often leave them feeling frustrated and alone. Be aware and educate yourself about these challenges that people with tendonitis often struggle through. Your support can make a profound difference in their recovery journey and encourage them during this challenging time.
Support from a healthcare team is also crucial to recovery. Find the best orthopedic doctors in San Antonio at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Our physicians offer a wide variety of medical services to treat your condition, relieve pain, and restore function. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about tendonitis and other orthopedic conditions. Just give us a call at (210) 692-7400 or schedule an appointment through our online form.
