What is tendinitis?

What is tendinitis?


Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon.  The tendon is the tissue that connects a muscle to the bone.  Tendinitis is caused by overuse and chronic inflammation or irritation of the tendon.  The tendon begins to breakdown at a faster rate than it can rebuild following exercise.  If the tendon is not strong enough and/or is put in positions that cause too much stress, inflammation will result. 


Typically the onset is soreness and pain following activity and progressing into the beginning of activity.  Usually the pain will subside once the body/area is warmed up and will return again following activity.  As the condition worsens, the pain will persist throughout activity.


Management and Treatment:

Anti-Inflammatories such as Ibuprofen (Advil) and Naproxen (Aleve) are good for reducing pain and inflammation in addition to ice after activity and periodically through the day.  Warming up thoroughly through light exercise or modalities is also recommended to decrease the initial onset of pain.  Rehab will typically consist of stretching the injured area/joint and strengthening the muscle of the tendon and the surrounding muscles to put the area at more of an advantage.  Relative rest is also recommended to decrease inflammation.