What is tendinitis; it is the inflammation of a tendon that has usually been caused by an injury. Learn what it is and how it is treated!
Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon that has usually been caused by an injury. The tendons are fibrous cords that join the muscle to the bone or muscle to muscle. These extremely strong, inelastic and flexible cords are in most cases cylindrical. Some, such as those that are attached to the flat muscles of the abdominal wall, are wide sheets of fibers that are called aponeuroses. Made up mostly of a white, fibrous protein bundles called collagen, tendons are known to contain some blood vessels. Larger tendons also have a nerve supply which causes pain when these tendons are squeezed. Some tendons are surrounded by a sheath or fibrous capsule that secretes a lubricating fluid.
In most cases tendinitis will occur around the time a person reaches middle age. This is the time when the tendons tend to be more susceptible to injury. Even so, this condition can also occur in younger people who perform repetitive task or have a vigorous exercise schedule. In most cases tendinitis occurs in the hands which are particularly susceptible to inflammation. When the inflammation extends the thumb away from the hand it is known as deQuervain's disease. When the inflammation causes tendons that close the other fingers to get caught and cause a popping feeling this is known as trigger finger. This is a condition in which a finger may become locked in a bent position. This occurs when one of the tendons that flex the fingers becomes swollen and inflamed, causing it to be unable to move back into the sheath. When the tendinitis is located above the biceps there will be pain when the elbow is bent or the forearm is rotated. Another area that is commonly affected is the achilles tendon in the heel of the foot.
Symptoms of tendinitis include pain when the tendon is moved or touched. Visible swelling of the tendon sheaths due to the accumulation of fluids and inflammation are not uncommon. Any moving of the joint near the affected tendon may cause severe pain. In some cases the tendon sheath is affected by joint disease. Diseases such as systemic schleroderma, gout, Reiter's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis may increase incidents of tendinitis. In cases of young adults, especially women, who contract gonorrhea the gonococcal bacteria has been known to cause tenosynovitis which usually affects the tendons in the feet, ankles, fingers, hips, wrist and shoulders. Although there are several treatments for the symptoms of tendinitis, the most common include immobilization of the affected limb with a cast or splint, plenty of rest and the application of heat or cold depending upon which works best for the sufferer.
In some cases, such as with trigger finger, the treatment of tendinitis may include injections of a corticosteriod drug around the tendon. Other treatments for this disorder might include ultrasound treatment or anti-inflammatory drugs. It is necessary for treatments to be repeated every two or three weeks for up to two months in order for the inflammation to completely subside. With diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, which causes chronic and persistent tendinitis, surgery may be preformed to remove the inflamed areas. After surgery a physical therapy treatment program may be needed. Surgery may also be needed in chronic cases of trigger finger to remove calcium deposits what form in areas where tendinitis has been present for a long time.
