Sullivan Center
Rehabilitation
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Sullivan Center
Rehabilitation
Holston Valley Medical Center
Sullivan Center Rehabilitation
103 West Stone Drive
Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: 423-224-5751
Fax: 423-224-5776
Email: [email protected]
Contributor: Shannon Barker, PT
Tendonitis
Tendonitis
Definition and Stats
Tendonitis is among the most common musculoskeletal problems that people experience.
Musculoskeletal symptoms were the second
reason for physician visits in the year 2003. In
fact, approximately one in seven Americans
suffer from a musculoskeletal impairment.
Therefore, it is important to understand the
definition of tendonitis, its signs and symptoms, and treatment options.
Tendonitis is the inflammation and/or irritation of a tendon that can occur in various locations of the body. A tendon is a thick, fibrous
band of tissue that connects muscle to bone.
Because of their location between the muscle
and bone, tendons experience stress any time
the muscle is tightened. Unlike arthritis, a condition that generally affects older individuals,
tendonitis can affect both the young and old.
Anatomical Problem
Tendons in the human body are like a bundle
of rubber bands. These rubber bands function
best when they are all parallel to each other.
Most often, tendonitis affects the alignment of
the fibers, or band-like structures, of the tendon. Instead of presenting with fibers aligned
parallel, many of the fibers are crossed. The
crossing of the fibrous structures of the tendon
causes the muscle and tendon to operate at a
disadvantage, which causes the body to experience pain and inflammation. Therefore, there
is often an anatomical problem with the tendon underlying tendonitis.
Causes and Common Locations
Tendonitis is classified as either intrinsic tendonitis,
referring to changes in the structure of the tendon
without external forces, or extrinsic, referring to
forces outside of the body causing irritation of the
tendon. Extrinsic causes of tendonitis usually include overuse and repetitive use activities during
work or recreational activities. Regardless of the
classification, the signs and symptoms are generally
the same. The signs and symptoms of tendonitis
include but are not limited to the following: pain
with active movement, tenderness along the tendon
of a muscle, and stiffness. The most common locations for these signs and symptoms to occur are the
elbow, shoulder, knee, and ankle.
Treatment
Common home treatments for tendonitis include the
P.R.I.C.E. acronym. Protecting the tendon by removing any external factor causing the tendon to be
irritated is the first line of defense. Resting the involved tendon is also important in order to allow the
inflammation and swelling to decrease. Icing the
affected area for about 10 minutes at a time can help
decrease pain, muscle spasm, and swelling. If there
is noticeable swelling of the affected area, Compression using an ace bandage can help decrease swelling.
Finally, Elevation of the affected area above the level
of the heart can help decrease pain and swelling.
Prevention
Prevention is the best medicine for tendonitis. When completing activities, either at
work or for recreation, be sure that you
change your routine frequently so that you
are not completing the same activity over
and over again in sequence. Frequent rest
in between strenuous tasks or work-outs
can help with recovery. Also, proper warmup and stretching prior to strenuous activity
and work-outs can also decrease the risk for
tendonitis development.
Physical Therapy
If the area does not respond to P.R.I.C.E.
method, visit your primary care physician,
who can give you options for further care
for the tendonitis. If you and your primary
care physician decide to try physical therapy, your physical therapist will perform an
evaluation and establish an exercise program that is appropriate for you.
Sullivan Center Rehabilitation
Holston Valley Medical Center
Sullivan Center Rehabilitation
103 West Stone Drive
Kingsport, TN 37660
Phone: 423-224-5751
Fax: 423-224-5776
Email: [email protected]