Tendonitis

Tendonitis is an injury or irritation of the fibrous, thick tendons that connect muscles to bones. Tendonitis is also called tendinosis because little inflammation is present when the tendon is biopsied. During the first stage of tendonitis, patients experience a dull ache after an activity that involves using the tendon. The ache decreases with rest. In stage 2, the patients experience pain during minor movements of the affected area. During the final stage, patients are in constant pain.

What Causes Tendonitis?

Tendonitis can occur through sports participation when certain joints are overused, or when the athlete is undertrained or uses poor technique in sports. In certain occupations, repetitive movement, such as typing, can cause tendons to inflame. Injuries and repeated trauma also can contribute, as can autoimmune disorders (such as diabetes), some inflammatory conditions, and some infections. Tendonitis shows up mostly in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, thumb, hip, knee, and ankle.

Signs of Tendonitis

  • Pain that worsens when the affected limb is moved

  • Stiffness and loss of range of motion

  • Swelling

  • Tenderness

  • Warmth and redness

  • Crackling

Chiropractic Care for Tendonitis

Tendonitis (often spelled Tendinitis) is the inflammation and irritation of a tendon and is often very responsive to treatment.

Tendonitis responds well to joint manipulation, as well as physiotherapy such as ultrasound therapy and ice. Both are used to restore flexibility of the tendon, reduce inflammation and promote healing.

After examining you, the doctor will determine if tendonitis  is the cause of your joint pain, or whether it may be another condition altogether. The doctor will also determine why the tendonitis is occurring, as chiropractic does not just treat the symptom, but rather it looks at the whole person biomechanically. Careful attention is paid to why the condition is occurring so all causes of the problem can be addressed not just the symptom of pain. This all encompassing approach will lead to a strategy to prevent the tendonitis from recurring.

“There is evidence that ultrasound therapy provides clinically important improvement in the treatment of calcific tendonitis……evidence exists to support the use of supervised exercise, eccentric exercise, friction massage, acupuncture, laser therapy, use of bracing, orthotics, and cryotherapy in the treatment of tendinopathy”* (Pfefer, Cooper, Uhl; Chiropractic Management of Tendinopathy: A Literature Synthesis)* Tendinopathy is another word for the condition more commonly referred to as tendonitis.