Tendonitis and Tendon Injuries

Tendonitis is an injury that often occurs when a joint is moved in the same pattern repetitively. This type of injury can be caused by recreational activities and sports (tennis, golf, swimming, running, etc) or because of work activities. Over time, these repetitive motions can lead to uneven wearing out of the affected tendons, leading to inflammation, pain, and loss of strength. Common types of tendonitis include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, Achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, and patellar tendonitis. Although rarely severe enough for surgery, tendonitis can be painful and debilitating.

There are a variety of ways to help treat and prevent tendonitis. Patients suffering from the pain and discomfort from tendonitis can:

Ice the tendon - Icing the tendon will reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as reduce further aggravation to the tendon.

Rest - Resting the strained tendon will prevent further irritation.

Physical therapy - Certain stretches and strengthening exercises can help return the tendon and muscle back to their normal condition. Sometimes a brace is recommended.

Injections - Injections with steroid or other anti-inflammatory agents can improve symptoms when non-invasive treatment options have failed.

Surgery - Only in rare cases is surgery needed for tendonitis. Most patients are able to return to activity after non-surgical treatment.

All types of tendonitis can recur, even those treated with surgery. It is important to minimize the risk of recurrence through regular exercise and avoidance of the repetitive motion that lead to the injury if possible. Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Carlson are experienced in treating recurrent tendonitis and providing patients with all the options available for treatment.