What is tendinitis?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on September 26, 2024
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Tendonitis refers to an inflammatory reaction caused by various factors such as over-fatigue, fiber tearing, or other injuries to the tendon and its surrounding tissues. Therefore, tendonitis usually has a cause, commonly seen in acute injuries or chronic strain. The main symptoms are: first, pain, which is often related to movement, intensifies during physical activity and alleviates during rest. Second, there is occasional slight swelling of the joint. Third, persistent pain occurs in bouts. This indicates that after the tendon recovers from an initial injury, persistent pain appears, which eases after rest or treatment but is prone to recurrence. Thus, tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon and its surrounding tissues, usually a non-bacterial inflammation. If conservative treatment does not improve the condition after 7-10 days, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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Treatment of Tendonitis

The causes of tendinitis usually fall into the following three categories: The first is acute injury, commonly referred to as tendon strain. The initial step is to stop any activity, followed by immobilization of the affected tendon area. Immobilization typically involves allowing the part to be completely relaxed, under no pressure, and is usually for a period of three weeks. The second cause is chronic overuse, which is the most common reason for tendinitis. It frequently occurs at sites of bony protrusions or where there is a tunnel, and this can easily lead to constrictive tendinitis. Treatment might start with rest, followed by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs if rest is ineffective. Then, injection treatments are considered, typically around three times; symptoms or pain from tendinitis will significantly reduce or even disappear. If there is no improvement after three injections, a fourth should not be attempted, and surgical treatment to release the tendon and alleviate the constriction may be considered. The last cause is due to a purulent infection. This condition requires symptomatic treatment, initially with antibiotics, followed by cultures and sensitivity tests of the effusion. If the infection occurs adjacent to the tendon or in the tendon sheath, surgery might be necessary to perform drainage again. In summary, the treatment of tendinitis largely depends on the specific cause and involves different approaches.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
59sec home-news-image

What is tendinitis?

Tendonitis refers to an inflammatory reaction caused by various factors such as over-fatigue, fiber tearing, or other injuries to the tendon and its surrounding tissues. Therefore, tendonitis usually has a cause, commonly seen in acute injuries or chronic strain. The main symptoms are: first, pain, which is often related to movement, intensifies during physical activity and alleviates during rest. Second, there is occasional slight swelling of the joint. Third, persistent pain occurs in bouts. This indicates that after the tendon recovers from an initial injury, persistent pain appears, which eases after rest or treatment but is prone to recurrence. Thus, tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon and its surrounding tissues, usually a non-bacterial inflammation. If conservative treatment does not improve the condition after 7-10 days, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at a hospital.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 15sec home-news-image

Can tendinitis be treated with an injection?

Tendonitis can be treated with injections, which provide both anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, often resulting in a very satisfactory therapeutic outcome. However, there are some considerations to keep in mind when performing these injections: First, the injection site must be free of infection and dermatitis; the skin must be clean and intact. Second, it is best to avoid injecting the medication near the attachment points of muscles or tendons on bones. In some cases, such as with femoral condyle osteoarthritis, injections near these points are necessary, but care should be taken not to inject directly into the attachment points to prevent tendon rupture at those sites, which are currently irreplaceable with current scientific techniques. Third, do not exceed three tendonitis injections. Many patients may recover after one or two injections, but some might go for a third if they do not feel significant improvement. If there is no noticeable benefit after three injections, or if the treatment is ineffective, the injection therapy might not be suitable for you, and other treatments should be considered. Therefore, while tendon injections can be an option for tendonitis, it is essential to apply the correct methods.

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Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
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How to treat tendinitis?

Treatment of tendonitis is divided into four types. The first is conventional treatment, which involves following the RICE principle during the acute phase. The second is medication, which includes the use of non-steroidal drugs and the option of local injections, but repetitive injections are not recommended as they can lead to tendon rupture, such as the rupture of the Achilles tendon often caused by such treatment. The third approach is for patients with chronic conditions where the affected area has developed adhesions and conservative treatment is ineffective. In such cases, surgical treatment should be considered, though the drawbacks include significant trauma, pain, and a long recovery period. The fourth method involves physical therapy, including heat therapy, ultrasound treatment, and microwave treatment. Thus, the basic treatments for tendonitis encompass these four approaches.

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Written by Wang Cheng Lin
Orthopedics
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How to treat tendinitis and synovitis?

How to treat tendinitis and synovitis? Generally, the current approach is to first start with conservative treatments for tendinitis and synovitis. Conservative treatments include acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, topical ointments, and oral medications, all of which can help alleviate the symptoms of tendinitis and synovitis. However, if there is no improvement after more than six months of treatment, or if the symptoms, such as increasing pain, worsen, then a minimally invasive surgery might be necessary to provide relief.