Tendinitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon, a thick cord that connects muscle to bone. The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint.
Tendons that commonly become inflamed or irritated are tendons of the hand, around the shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and heels.
Some common names for various tendinitis problems are:
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
- Pitcher's shoulder
- Swimmer's shoulder
- Jumper's knee
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of tendinitis typically include:
- Pain or dull ache, especially when moving the affected limb or joint
- Tenderness
- Mild swelling
Causes
Tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury but the condition is much more likely to develop as a result of the repetition of a particular movement or motion over time.
Tendinitis usually occurs in individuals in middle or old age as a result of overuse over a long period of time. Tendinitis can occur in younger patients as a result of acute overuse.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing tendinitis include age, occupation and practicing certain sports.
·Age – as people get older, their tendons become less flexible
·Occupations- tendinitis is more common in people whose jobs involve repetitive motions and awkward positions
·Sports -participating in certain sports that involve repetitive motions (tennis, basketball, running, swimming, baseball, bowling, golf, etc)
Prevention
To reduce your chance of developing tendinitis, individuals shoud:
- Avoid activities that place excessive stress on the tendons, especially for prolonged periods
- Stretch after exercise in order to maximize the range of motion of the joints
- Use proper technique when performing repetitive sports movements or job-related activities
- Adjust the chair, keyboard and desktop for your height, arm length and usual tasks
