At present, tendon inflammation is a common problem. This is due to various muscle loads. In a professional language, this condition is called tendonitis. As a rule, tendons are affected in the place where they are attached to the bone.
The causes of this disease can be different. But the most common ones are repeated and excessive loads during certain types of professional activity or playing sports. Risk factors mainly include injuries, repetitive movements, and thermal damage to the tendon itself.
Often tendinitis accompanies some diseases, for example, such as diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis or obesity. It can affect almost any part of the body. There are several forms of tendonitis, which are the most common:
- Medial epicondylitis, the cause of which is inflammation of the tendons attached to the medial ulnar epicondyle. With repeated movements with the use of force flexion of the hand and its rotation, this form of the disease develops. Most often it is found in golfers or baseball.
- Lateral epicondylitis is an inflammation of the tendons attached to the external ulnar epicondyle. Continuous repetitive movements involving rotation and extension of the wrist lead to development. This form is usually found among tennis players.
- Rotating cuff tendonitis - a condition caused by engaging in certain sports requiring arm movement above the head. This can be the shoulder of a volleyball player, swimmer or pitcher, as their repeated movements cause inflammation of the muscle group that controls the rotation of the shoulder itself.
- Calcifying tendonitis occurs when calcium deposits in the tendons of any localization with a rather long course. Often there is a defeat of the rotator cuff.
- Inflammation of the tendons of the biceps muscle located on the shoulder, namely in its front part. It causes wear and tear over time.
- Patellar tendonitis is an inflammation of the patellar ligament attached to the patella. Such a defeat is inherent in jumpers, whose knees carry a load during work, repeated jumps or sudden movements.
- When running, jumping, or other actions in which tension of the calf muscles and Achilles tendon is inevitable, achillotendinitis occurs. With a prolonged inflammatory process, its rupture can often be observed.
- Inflammation of the tendon in the wrist of the thumb is called De Kerven tenosynovitis. It occurs with repeated movements of the hand and wrist when lifting something heavy.
This phenomenon is similar to ordinary muscle pain that occurs after overwork, and can often be painful. But in this case, unlike muscle discomfort, pain does not go away, and over time it only becomes more persistent. And if the tendons are subjected to a subsequent load, as before the moment of unpleasant sensations, then with such a state it will be very difficult to cope.
And it doesn’t matter if you are a professional marathon runner or a cleaner. When tendon inflammation occurs, treatment is required immediately. Moreover, it is possible not only to reduce the manifestation, but also to prevent serious exacerbations of tendonitis by changing already existing personal habits.
It is possible to treat this condition with the help of physiotherapeutic methods, painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. In more severe forms, antibiotics are used. And often - surgical treatment. But the most important thing is a decrease in physical stress on the affected area. In addition, wearing a retaining bandage is required.
Tendon inflammation is treated with the following methods: cold, rest, wearing prostheses (or fixative dressings), injections of growth factors and anti-inflammatory drugs (or taking them), as well as surgical treatment. Depending on what helps a particular patient better, applications of cold or heat, the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Indomethacin, Piracetam, Diclofenac) and analgesics (Promedol) are applied systemically or locally.
To avoid such a painful condition and the last stages of the ailment, which requires treatment by surgical intervention, you should promptly, at the first manifestations, consult a qualified specialist. And, of course, do not forget about prevention.