Tendinitis
By Kammie Harn
Tendinitis is the Irritation or Inflammation of a Tendon.
Causes
Tendinitis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on an affected area, but can also be caused by a sudden, serious injury or certain diseases.
Examples of Causes are :
- Running
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Basketball
- Golf
- Baseball
- Gardening
- Raking
- Shoveling
- Painting
- Diabetes
- Incorrect Posture
Affected Areas
Tendinitis can occur anywhere in the body where a tendon attaches a bone to a muscle.
Most Common Areas of Tendinitis :
- Elbow
- Shoulder
- Hip
- Knee
- Base of Thumb
- Achilles Tendon
- Wrist
Treatment
If you have tendinitis there are a few different treatment options for you. First off, avoiding activities that irritate the problem, resting the affected area, icing the area after injury, and taking over the counter anti-inflammatories are the simplest treatments. If your tendinitis doesn't improve, however, you may need physical therapy, cortisone injections, or even surgery.
Prevention
Some ways to prevent tendinitis are :
- Build your activity level up and always make sure to stretch before vigorous activity. Don't just jump up off of the couch and go run a 5k.
- Limit your repetitive force to a certain area.
- Don't continue doing an activity if unusual pain occurs.
- Always wear proper fitting shoes.