Tendonitis
is the diagnosis given to inflammation in a tendon. A tendon is simply
and extension of the muscle that attaches the muscle fibers into the
bone so that the joint can be moved. The pain and swelling is a lot
like a bursitis condition; however the difference is that tendonitis
worsens when the muscle is contracted rather than when the joint is
moved by someone else. Bursitis generally hurts whenever the joint is
moved.
Mild tendonitis can be an
annoying condition;
however, without the proper care and treatment this annoyance can
worsen to the point of disability due to pain. Tennis elbow is one such
example that can start as a mild annoyance and progress to a severe
condition that can cause painful difficulty when shaking hands, or when
trying to open a jar. Even turning a doorknob while trying to pull it
open can cause sharp pain to appear.
Over-stressing
a tendon from repeated and excessive activity, placing too great a load
on a joint as when lifting a heavy object abruptly, or being involved
in a traumatic accident can cause tendonitis. In fact, any mechanism
that causes tendon fibers to tear such as forceful stretching or a
direct blow to the tendon will result in the onset of a tendonitis. The
swelling that occurs in and around these tears in the tendon will cause
the painful inflammation associated with this condition.
Sports
activities are probably responsible for most of the reported cases of
tendonitis. The good news is that people who keep themselves physically
fit usually also heal well. The only real obstacle to a successful
recovery is keeping the athlete away from the activities that caused
the condition long enough for the healing process to be adequately
completed. For tendonitis conditions, this is usually a period of six
to eight weeks. A tendonitis suffer who wants to return to
full
activity must always be careful not to become to active too early, even
if the pain has vanished.
Your Doctor
of Chiropractic
can diagnose and treat this condition by use of joint manipulation,
therapies to reduce tendon inflammation, improve circulation, and
provide nutritional supplements and a healthy diet to aid in the
healing process. Certain braces or tapping may also be applied to help
reduce the pain. A brace is especially helpful in the acute phase to
minimize irritation and during the healing process to support the joint
and to prevent overuse when more regular activities are resumed.
When
activity is resumed, anyone who suffers from tendonitis is wise to
proceed slowly. It is best to test the ability of the joint to resume
the activity for only a short period of time. It is also wise to wear a
brace and begin with a minimized stress to the joint. If any irritation
returns, an assessment will need to be made as to weather or not the
activity can be modified such as changing the way the activity is
performed. With the proper care and treatment, the pain of tendonitis
can be reduced, managed, and even eliminated.