Tendinitis and tendosynovitis
Tendinitis is a common joint ailment among professional athletes and workers performing repetitive motions. It as an inflammation that usually affects tendons in the shoulder area, elbow, popliteal fossa and the Achilles tendon. The lack of treatment and failure to discontinue activities that place excessive stress on inflamed tendons may lead to the formation of large calcium deposits and ultimately to a more permanent reduction of the joint's mobility ("frozen joint"). It normally takes about 6 weeks to recover from this condition.
What are tendinitis and tendosynovitis?
Tendonitis usually occurs at the site where the tendon is attached to the bone or the site of muscle texturing, but the inflammation may also spread to the adjacent synovial bursa. It is a painful condition of the tendon (tendinitis) or the sheath surrounding it (tendosynovitis). Most often, the inflammation affects both these structures at the same time. A tendon is a tough band of fibrous connective tissue that constitutes an extension of the muscle, connecting it to the bone and ensuring its mobility.
Causes:
- Injuries and overloads of the tendon (the most frequent cause)
- Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
- Improper posture, including a constrained sitting position while working at a computer
- Incorrect movements and overstretching the tendons
Symptoms:
- limited range of motion, pain and swelling in the area of the inflamed tendon
- weakening of the affected tendon caused by calcium deposits that often accompany inflammatory conditions of the tendons
- pain in the inflamed area often intensifies during movement, but it may also occur at rest,
- slight redness and increased warmth of the skin surrounding the tendon, especially in the case of tendons located superficially
Treatment:
- Analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs, sometimes pain relieving injections or steroid medications
- Strong pain may be relieved by cold compresses, warm compresses may be indicated at a later stage
- Acute tendinitis may require complete avoidance of movement with the sick limb
- Sometimes it is necessary to put on an elastic band, splint or a sling
- Chronic tendinitis may necessitate a change of lifestyle or discontinuance of activities that may lead to a relapse of the disease
- Patients with tendinitis may also benefit from an exercise program designed to extend their range of motion, which should start as soon as the pain subsides to prevent stiffening of the joints ("frozen joint")
- Sometimes a surgical intervention may be required
Prevention:
- The body should be gradually prepared for increasing loads
- Any strenuous activity should be preceded by appropriate warm-up exercises
- Proper workplace ergonomics should be used to avoid damaging or overstretching the tendons
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