What is Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is an injury or irritation of the fibrous, thick tendons that connect muscles to bones. Tendonitis is also called tendinosis because little inflammation is present when the tendon is biopsied.
Who Can Develop Tendonitis?
People whose work requires repetitive motion are more likely to develop tendonitis. Examples include various types of athletes.
What are the Signs of Tendonitis?
- Pain that worsens when the affected limb is moved
- Stiffness and loss of range of motion
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Warmth and redness
What Causes Tendonitis?
Tendonitis can occur through sports participation when certain joints are overused, or when the athlete is undertrained or uses poor technique in sports. In certain occupations, repetitive movement, such as typing, can cause tendons to inflame. Injuries and repeated trauma also can contribute, as can autoimmune disorders (such as diabetes), some inflammatory conditions, and some infections. Tendonitis shows up mostly in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, thumb, hip, knee, and ankle.
What are the Different Types of Tendonitis?
There are various types of tendonitis, all of which are referred to by the part of the body that has been affected; for example, Achilles tendonitis affects the Achilles tendon, while patellar tendonitis (also called jumper’s knee) concerns the patellar tendon. A more detailed list includes:
- Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
- Achilles Tendonitis
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Patellar (Kneecap) Tendonitis
- Wrist Tendonitis
- Tendonitis (and Overuse Injuries) in Children
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Tendonitis (Ruptured Tendons) of the Knee
Tendonitis Complications
If left untreated, tendonitis could become chronic and lead to a rupture (or tear) of the tendon, which would then require surgery. Even after surgery, permanent damage may not be avoided. So it’s best to get any symptoms you may have of tendonitis checked out as soon as they arise.
How a Chiropractor Can Help
More than 4 million Americans see a physician each year for tendonitis symptoms. If tendonitis is mainly a disorder of inflammation, it makes sense to find treatments designed to reduce inflammation. Chiropractic is a drug free, hands-on approach to lessening inflammation. With good chiropractic treatment, tendonitis can heal and the person can prevent reinjuring the affected area.
At Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic we regularly treat patients and specifically athletes with tendonitis, in addition to working with them to avoid future injuries. In addition to providing regular chiropractic treatment, we are the first chiropractic clinic in the Augusta area to offer treatments specifically on parts of the body other than the spine, such as the wrist or the knee with digital real-time progress. With proper treatment, there is no need to let your tendonitis get out of hand or slow you down, whether you’re an athlete in training or not.
Georgia Clinic of Chiropractic is conveniently located off Furys Ferry Rd in Martinez, Georgia and provides quality chiropractic care to the Augusta, Martinez, and Evans communities. To schedule an appointment, call (706) 814-5053 or schedule an appointment online at www.georgia-clinic.com.
