Tendonitis is inflammation affecting the tendons. Degenerative processes are often responsible for the disease. Tendinitis is usually associated with pain for the affected patient and sometimes develops as a result of sporting activities or strain on the tendon at work. If only the sheath of the tendons is affected by the inflammatory processes, the disease is called tendovaginitis.
What is tendonitis?
In the context of tendonitis, there are inflammatory processes in the tendons. The cause of the disease often lies in factors related to rheumatic diseases. In addition, the term disease is also used in numerous cases when it comes to tendinitis as a result of overexertion. For what does hi stand for, please visit ezhoushan.net.
Strictly speaking, however, these types of inflammation are referred to as so-called tendinopathies. Tendinitis is usually treated symptomatically if direct elimination of the underlying factors is not possible. Medical agents are often used to relieve the pain of the affected person and to reduce the inflammatory processes in the tendon.
Causes
The causes of tendinitis are varied and differ from patient to patient. In principle, the disease arises in numerous cases as a result of degenerative processes inside the affected tendon. Such degenerations multiply with increasing age of the patients.
External factors are also possible that ultimately lead to the development of tendonitis. Tendinitis is often caused by physical activities and the associated overloading of the tendons. The inflammatory processes in the diseased tendon are promoted or triggered, for example, by external injuries and damage, infections or distortions.
In principle, it is possible for tendonitis to occur in any tendon in the human body. In many cases, however, it develops in the area of the elbow or wrist, shoulders or heels. In the majority of affected patients, the frequent repetition of certain movement sequences leads to the development of tendonitis.
This is often the case in sports or at work, for example as a cashier or construction worker. It is not necessarily the necessary physical exertion that is decisive for the development of the inflammation, but rather the constantly repeated sequences of movements. The likelihood of tendinitis increases when movements are performed incorrectly and with stress.
Unusual movement sequences or special positions of the body or the corresponding tendons during the load are also risky. For example, if people regularly lift objects above their head, they are more likely to become inflamed in the strained tendons. In addition, certain sports are often associated with tendonitis. These include tennis, bowling and golf.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Tendinitis is characterized by certain symptoms that make it easier to diagnose the condition. In the majority of cases, a significant pain comes from the affected tendon or the respective area of the body. Irritations in the area of the corresponding tendon are also possible.
In some patients with tendonitis, noises occur when the inflamed tendon moves. In addition, patients often suffer from weakness of the diseased area, tendons and muscles. The spot is often very sensitive, and there may also be a knot in the respective tendon.
Some sick people have reddened skin or swelling around the tendons affected by tendonitis. For example, if the long tendon in the biceps is inflamed, people will feel pain when lifting their arm.
Diagnosis & course of disease
A diagnosis of tendinitis is always made on the basis of the existing clinical symptoms of the disease. First of all, an anamnesis or a patient interview takes place. The sick person is asked to describe the symptoms, the time at which the symptoms began and possible factors that caused them to the doctor treating them.
The doctor also discusses the person’s lifestyle and tries to identify activities that may have contributed to the tendon inflammation. In the second step of the diagnosis, the doctor carries out several clinical examinations with the patient. By palpating the appropriate area, the doctor causes pain on pressure, which already indicates tendonitis.
The patient is asked to move the appropriate body part while the doctor applies tension to the section. If pain results from this, this also strengthens the suspicion of tendonitis. In addition, the doctor uses imaging methods to diagnose tendonitis with certainty. For example, sonography or magnetic resonance imaging can be used. The diagnosis of tendonitis can be confirmed with the help of arthroscopy.
Complications
First and foremost, those affected by tendinitis suffer from very severe pain. These occur primarily in the affected tendon, but can also spread to neighboring regions. If the pain also occurs at night, it can lead to sleep problems and thus possibly to depression and other mental upsets.
Sensory disturbances or paralysis are also possible in the affected area. Furthermore, there may be restrictions in movement. The inflammation of the tendon can spread to the muscles, causing them to become inflamed as well. The skin in the affected regions is often red or itchy. The extremities can also hurt as a result of the illness.
This is also the case if only a single tendon is inflamed. The pain can usually be limited with painkillers. There are no complications. Furthermore, many patients require therapy to fully restore movement. The patient’s life expectancy is not negatively affected by the tendonitis.
When should you go to the doctor?
A unilateral tendon pain that appears to have suddenly appeared must be examined by a doctor. If it is tendinitis, medical treatment is necessary. The patient must refrain from physical activity and, if necessary, wear a cast. The pain usually increases in intensity over a longer period of time, initially appearing only in the affected region and then spreading to the surrounding areas of the body. Affected parts of the body can usually only be spread apart with pain, while they are largely pain-free when at rest.
Crunching noises can occur during movements, which are a clear indicator of a disease that requires treatment. People who move monotonously in sports or at work are particularly at risk. Anyone who sits at the PC a lot, plays tennis or wears unfavorable shoes in everyday life should consult a doctor if the symptoms mentioned occur. Anyone who belongs to these risk groups or feels the typical tendinitis pain must consult their family doctor or an orthopedist . Treatment is medical or surgical. If necessary, a physiotherapist must be consulted.
Treatment & Therapy
On the one hand, conservative methods of treatment are available to treat tendinitis. For example, medication to relieve pain and physiotherapy are used. On the other hand, in some cases, surgical interventions are necessary to treat the tendonitis. These are particularly necessary when conservative measures have not had a sufficient effect after six months.
Prevention
Prevention of tendonitis involves avoiding all potential tendon overload.
Aftercare
In most cases, those affected by tendinitis only have a few and usually only limited measures and options for aftercare available, so that a doctor should be consulted very early on in the case of this disease in order to prevent further complications from occurring. As a rule, the tendonitis cannot heal itself, so that the patient is always dependent on medical treatment.
If anything is unclear or side effects occur, a doctor should be contacted first to avert any complications. Those affected should observe the specified dosage and regular intake, whereby alcohol should be avoided during the cure. In general, with this disease, a healthy lifestyle with a healthy diet can have a very positive effect on the further course of the disease. It cannot be universally predicted whether the tendinitis will lead to a reduced life expectancy for those affected.
You can do that yourself
Patients suffering from tendonitis must rest the affected joints. After the doctor has diagnosed the disease and prescribed a first painkiller, it is important to avoid strenuous movements.
If the hands or wrist are affected, the patient may need to take sick leave. It is also important to cool the joints. Medical ointments are suitable for this, but also home remedies such as quark or aloe vera, which are applied to the swelling in the form of a wrap. With a shoulder infection, normal arm movements can no longer be carried out. The patient may need support in everyday life. It is important to seek help at an early stage so that the disease can be overcome without major restrictions.
If necessary, the pain can also be treated with various homeopathic remedies. Patients should contact their doctor who can consult an appropriate medical professional. If the symptoms do not go away on their own, it is advisable to see a doctor. Tendonitis can develop into a chronic condition if the causes are not treated or the inflammation is not completely cured.
