A tendon is a thick cord like structure that connects muscle to bone. All throughout our body, we have muscles that are attached to bones by tendons, which is why so many people suffer from tendonitis somewhere in their body.
Tendonitis can be summarized as inflammation or irritation of the tendon. It is a result of small micro-tears in the soft tissue. These micro-tears most commonly result from repetitive motions in the same joint over time which puts stress on the tendons. Many sports or recreational activities revolve around repetitive movements and can cause stress on your tendons.
Types of Tendonitis:
Lateral Elbow Tendonitis (Tennis Elbow)
- Pain in the outer side of the elbow. In some cases, the painful area extends down to the forearm and wrist.
Medial Elbow Tendonitis (Golfer’s Elbow)
- Pain in the inner side of the elbow.
Patella Tendonitis (Jumpers/Runners Knee)
- Pain below the kneecap and, sometimes, above it.
Achilles Tendonitis
- Pain at the back of the heel or 2 to 4 inches above the heel.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis (Swimmers Shoulder)
- Usually dull, aching shoulder pain that can’t be tied to one location. It often radiates into the upper arm toward the chest. The pain is often worse at night and may interfere with sleep.
What To Do:
Usually this condition is easily diagnosed with a thorough exam including history of your injury, symptoms and palpating/muscle testing. You do not need to see a doctor for this condition, you can directly visit your physical therapist and they will properly evaluate this condition. No imaging or testing is usually needed.
Once you are diagnosed, it is time to start fixing the problem. Your physical therapist will recommend proper activity modifications, proper stretches and exercises to help strengthen the area
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