What is tendinitis?

Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
Updated on September 26, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 29sec home-news-image

How to treat the symptoms of tendinitis

The symptoms of tendinitis firstly include pain, which develops from mild to severe and can be alleviated by rest. However, the pain reoccurs or escalates with physical activity or increased intensity of movement. Additionally, the greater the activity, the shorter the relief period. The second symptom is restricted movement primarily due to pain. Pain causes limitations when moving the limb in certain ways or directions, increasing the pain and thereby causing movement restrictions. Typically, tendinitis presents a fixed tender point usually located at the site of injury, with possible radiating pain around the tender point. Swelling is generally not prominent; the primary characteristic of tendinitis is severe pain, with no significant changes in the skin and minimal or very light swelling. As for treatment, conservative approaches are commonly chosen, such as standard treatments involving immobilization, rest, and protecting the affected area. Oral non-steroidal drugs might be used along with localized treatments, or physical therapies like microwave and shockwave therapies, which are quite effective. If symptoms do not improve or worsen despite rigorous conservative treatment, surgical intervention may be necessary. The specific surgical techniques vary and are determined by the surgeon.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
38sec home-news-image

Can tendinitis be treated with a cortisone injection?

Can a cortisone injection be used for tendinitis? From a clinical perspective, for tendinitis, other conservative treatments such as physical therapy, massage, and oral medications can be used. When treatments like phototherapy are ineffective or not yielding results, a cortisone injection is certainly an option. As long as it is accurately targeted, the results of a cortisone injection are very satisfactory. In some cases of tendinitis, a cortisone injection can even achieve a curative effect. Thus, after tendinitis, a cortisone injection can definitely be used for treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
39sec home-news-image

Can tendinitis be seen on an X-ray?

If you are referring to taking an X-ray, tendonitis can only be detected in one situation by X-ray, that is, if the tendonitis has caused calcification. Only then the calcification appears as a high density on the X-ray; otherwise, X-rays won’t show tendonitis. The best examination for tendonitis is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because MRI excels in viewing soft tissue disorders, a capability unmatched by other examinations. So, if you suspect you have tendonitis, an MRI should be the first choice, and taking X-rays is not very significant.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 38sec home-news-image

What causes tendinitis?

Tendonitis refers to a type of sterile inflammation that occurs in the tendons and surrounding tissues due to various reasons. Its formation typically follows these four causes: First, acute injury, which usually occurs after the tendons are impacted violently, causing tears or ruptures and leading to an inflammatory reaction in the tendon and surrounding area. Second, long-term wear and tear. This is primarily seen in tendons that are repeatedly subjected to abnormal, unhealthy wear and tear, leading to increased tendon burden or instability at the attachment points, which then causes a surrounding inflammatory response. Third, increased tendon load, leading to damage in the tendon itself, and even causing tears and bleeding, forming a reactive inflammation. The final cause is due to excessively long exercise periods or overloading the tendons through exercise, causing tendon congestion and edema, and eventually leading to inflammation. This can occur in individuals who suddenly engage in heavy exercise after a period of inactivity, or athletes who train daily for extended periods without adequate rest, causing the tendons to be under constant stress. Over time, like a bowstring, this can lead to slackening or rupture, causing an inflammatory response around the tendon or in the tendon itself. Thus, tendonitis generally arises from the reasons mentioned above, often seen in chronic strain and improper posture during exercise, and less commonly from acute injuries and increased loads.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
28sec home-news-image

What should be paid attention to with tendinitis?

When tendonitis occurs, the first thing to do is to rest and avoid excessive bending and extending of the tendon. Tendonitis is a sterile, chronic inflammation of the tendon due to overuse, which can lead to pain and impaired movement. It is important to avoid excessive bending and loading activities, and some physical therapy, hot compresses, and the topical application of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for symptomatic treatment.