After being seated or sleeping for a long period of time, do you feel stiff? Do you have persistent pain that is hindering your mobility? Has a past injury started flaring up again? One common cause of achy joints is inflammation known as arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis. When bones, tendons, and the protective cushion around them become injured or worn out over time due to any number of things, these parts of the body can become swollen and sore.
People who put excess stress on joints or who are active every day, such as athletes, are at heightened risk for joint pain and tendonitis. Medical professionals use the term tendinitis to describe inflammation of the tendon, and the suffix of the word, “-itis”, means inflammation. Patients with tendonitis may experience localized pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. Tendonitis can occur due to repetitive movements, injury and other related conditions, such as tennis elbow.
Tendonitis is commonly mistaken for arthritis. That is why going to the doctor for early diagnosis is crucial, as the symptoms that arise are almost identical. Our tendons are thick, cordlike, fibrous tissue structures that attach muscles to bone and help our joints move. There are hundreds of tendons throughout the body, however, certain tendons in the body are more prone to problems than others. Therefore, when our tendons become irritated or inflamed, a condition called tendonitis can form.
Recommended treatments to reduce inflammation and joint pain due to tendonitis may include resting the affected joint, physical therapy, modified activities, and taking over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Patients with tendonitis typically recover within several weeks, but recovery times may vary depending on the person’s case.
If the tendonitis pain doesn’t go away, they may provide a referral to a rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, or physical therapist for specialized treatment. Symptoms include pain with movement and a joint that’s tender to touch.
To learn more about tendonitis and how it can be treated, call Movement Orthopaedics at (586) 436-3785 to request an appointment, or request one online.
