Tendons are a type of connective tissue that attaches the muscle to the bones and holds the joints together, while also allowing flexibility and movement. Tendinitis (also known as tendonitis) develops when a tendon becomes inflamed due to stress, strain, or other factors such as arthritis or diabetes, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Tendinitis can technically develop anywhere in the body, but is most common in the:
- Hands and wrists
Due to their proximity to the joints and similar symptoms, tendinitis is sometimes misdiagnosed as arthritis. Tendinitis treatment options typically range from conservative measures like rest and self-care to physical and occupational therapy in Scottsdale, depending on the severity of the inflammation, the symptoms, and the patient’s overall health.
Specific types of tendinitis:
- Wrist (De Quervain’s tenosynovitis)
- Patellar (knee)
- Elbow (tennis and golfer)
- Swimmer’s shoulder
What Causes Tendinitis?
The most common cause of tendon swelling and inflammation is strain from performing repetitive motions for a prolonged period of time, such as typing, operating machinery at work, playing sports like tennis or volleyball, performing certain exercises, or practicing a musical instrument. The impact or trauma experienced in an accident can also cause the tendons to become inflamed, resulting in tendonitis.
Other factors that can contribute to or increase the risk of tendinitis include:
- Arthritis (rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis (OA), and gout)
- Side effect of certain types of medication
- Joint/bone deformities
Participating in certain types of sports with continuous motions and overhead arm and hand movements can increase the risk of repetitive motion injuries like tendinitis. These sports include:
The risk of developing tendinitis also tends to increase with age, as the joints and connective tissues become less flexible and more rigid with normal wear and tear over time.
Signs and Symptoms of Inflamed Tendons
The most common symptom of an inflamed tendon is a dull ache at the point where the tendon meets the bone, especially when moving or bending the joint. The area can also be tender to the touch with visible swelling. Mild swelling and inflammation from regular strain can typically resolve with rest, over-the-counter pain medication, and anti-inflammatories, like Advil and Motrin.
Diagnosis and Tendonitis Treatment in Phoenix
In many cases, depending on the severity and extent of the inflammation, tendinitis symptoms may clear up and resolve with simple rest and self-care methods. A temporary flare-up related to overuse after physical activity or long hours behind a computer can often be treated at home with conservative treatments like hot and cold therapy and/or over-the-counter NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen).
Other conservative and self-care treatment methods for mild to moderate tendinitis symptoms in Scottsdale include:
- Splints, braces, or slings can help limit movement and allow the swelling and inflammation to subside for mild to moderate cases of tendinitis that respond to rest and self-care.
- Prescription medication and corticosteroid injections are prescribed to help relieve pain and inflammation when doses of aspirin or ibuprofen aren’t strong enough.
- Physical therapy may be recommended for moderate to severe chronic tendinitis (where pain persists or clears up and then returns for a prolonged period of time). There are many different types of physical therapy that can offer relief depending on the location, cause, and severity of each case.
- Regenerative medicine, such as fat or amniotic stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma, or our Neurogen Nerve Support Supplements can help accelerate the healing the process, resulting in less downtime and faster results. In many cases, regenerative techniques used for tendinitis treatment allow patients to avoid surgery altogether.
Read more about regenerative medicine and stem cell therapy at WebMD.com.
Some of the most common forms of tendinitis treatment options include:
- Heat and cold therapy
- Sound wave and ultrasound
- Electrical stimulation
- Water therapy
- Laser therapy
- Massage therapy
- Custom orthotics
- Strength training
- Cortisone injections
Occupational therapy requires professional evaluation and an overall modification of lifestyle factors and activities that can contribute to injury or re-injury when physical activities are performed with poor technique and bad posture. It may also involve using better ergonomic practices in the workplace or assistive devices that can help to stabilize the wrists while typing on a computer or the knees during physical activity, for example.
With adequate diagnosis and timely tendinitis treatment from a double board-certified surgeon in Scottsdale, such as Dr. Michael Fitzmaurice, most cases of tendinitis respond to conservative treatment and self-care, and the swelling and inflammation will clear up over time with no permanent injury or side effects. In order to prevent further injury or potential damage to the joint or surrounding soft tissue, any instances of pain that do not clear up with self-care or that clear up and then return frequently should be examined by a physician or specialist.
The Fitzmaurice Hand Institute in Phoenix offers advanced diagnostic and tendinitis treatment options for a range of nerve injuries in the hands and wrists, including:
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Trigger Finger/Thumb
- Tennis Elbow
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Musician Hand Injuries
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
- De Quervain’s tendinitis
- Urgent Hand Injuries
Learn more about the technological edge that makes the Fitzmaurice Hand Institute different from other medical practices in the country offering tendinitis treatment.
Find a Hand Specialist in Arizona
Hand and wrist pain can interfere with and affect everything from job performance to everyday quality of life. For more information on tendinitis treatment options for tendinitis and nerve injuries and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, contact the Fitzmaurice Hand Institute in Scottsdale by calling (480) 351-6483 to schedule an appointment with double board-certified hand surgeon Dr. Michael Fitzmaurice today.
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