Summer BanksTendinitis
September 24th 2006 04:05
Tendinitis :
Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon (a band of fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone). The condition appears most often as a result of physical activity. It also can be a symptom of a more generalized inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes :
Improper activity, lack of conditioning, and poor athletic equipment encourage the development of tendinitis. Nonathletes who suddenly begin athletic activity and athletes who resume strenuous sports after a period of inactivity are especially susceptible. People who wear high heels or shoes with run-down heels put needless tension on the Achilles tendon, which joins the calf muscles on the back of the leg to the back of the heel bone.
Symptoms :
Tendinitis causes pain in the affected tendon, which is worsened by activity. The tendon may grow thicker than normal and be tender to the touch or very painful. When an already inflamed tendon is continually placed under stress, it can rupture, causing further complications.
Diagnosis :
Physicians diagnose tendinitis problems by first acquiring the patient's exercise history. Muscle lengths in the area of inflammation are also evaluated. (Short or inflexible muscles are often the cause of tendinitis.)
Treatment :
Treatment for tendinitis begins with resting the affected area. Pain relievers and anti-
inflammatory drugs are used to ease immediate symptoms. Injecting cortisone and a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the tendon sometimes provides substantial relief within 24 to 72 hours.
In rare cases, surgery is necessary to repair damaged tendons. In the past, tendons were replaced with artificial tissues that never achieved the strength and flexibility of natural tissues. More effective techniques and materials have since been developed.
Prevention :
People participating in sports can prevent tendinitis by taking time to warm-up before exercising. For example, stretching the leg and calf muscles before and after running may help prevent inflammation of the Achilles tendon. When tendinitis does occur, wearing supports in shoes during physical activity can correct instability of the foot and lessen the level of pain.
Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon (a band of fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone). The condition appears most often as a result of physical activity. It also can be a symptom of a more generalized inflammatory disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Causes :
Improper activity, lack of conditioning, and poor athletic equipment encourage the development of tendinitis. Nonathletes who suddenly begin athletic activity and athletes who resume strenuous sports after a period of inactivity are especially susceptible. People who wear high heels or shoes with run-down heels put needless tension on the Achilles tendon, which joins the calf muscles on the back of the leg to the back of the heel bone.
Symptoms :
Tendinitis causes pain in the affected tendon, which is worsened by activity. The tendon may grow thicker than normal and be tender to the touch or very painful. When an already inflamed tendon is continually placed under stress, it can rupture, causing further complications.
Diagnosis :
Physicians diagnose tendinitis problems by first acquiring the patient's exercise history. Muscle lengths in the area of inflammation are also evaluated. (Short or inflexible muscles are often the cause of tendinitis.)
Treatment :
Treatment for tendinitis begins with resting the affected area. Pain relievers and anti-
inflammatory drugs are used to ease immediate symptoms. Injecting cortisone and a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the tendon sometimes provides substantial relief within 24 to 72 hours.
In rare cases, surgery is necessary to repair damaged tendons. In the past, tendons were replaced with artificial tissues that never achieved the strength and flexibility of natural tissues. More effective techniques and materials have since been developed.
Prevention :
People participating in sports can prevent tendinitis by taking time to warm-up before exercising. For example, stretching the leg and calf muscles before and after running may help prevent inflammation of the Achilles tendon. When tendinitis does occur, wearing supports in shoes during physical activity can correct instability of the foot and lessen the level of pain.
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