Types of Tendinitis

Tendons in the body attach muscles to bones. Most of them are located in the joint areas, such as the knees and shoulders. They can sometimes become irritated from overuse while working on a job, participating in athletics or lifting weights. The tendons also lose their elasticity as people age. Instead of a normal smooth, gliding motion of a particularly tendon, people with tendinitis usually suffer from pain and inflammation.

Identification and Symptoms of Tendinitis

• Tendinitis is often characterized by pain, warmth, burning or swelling in body joints. There is often some tenderness in the affected area as well as resistance in movement. Swelling in the muscle fibers is what affects the mobility of a joint. Pain can occur throughout an entire movement of a joint or at a particular position. For example, if you have shoulder tendinitis, you might be able to lift your arm up to shoulder level without pain. However, pain and discomfort may plague you if you lift it any higher.

Types of Tendinitis

• There are nine main types of tendinitis: finger, toe, wrist, elbow, knee, rotator cuff, Achilles, iliotibial and adductor, or groin tendinitis. Most types of tendinitis can occur in multiple tendons. For example, tennis elbow is caused by friction between arm tendons and the lateral epicondyle, a prominent bone on the outside of the elbow. Golfer's elbow affects tendons near the medial epicondyle on the inside elbow. Also, any of four tendons that make up the rotator cuff in the shoulder can become inflamed from tendinitis as well. Iliotibial affects a band of tendons that extend from the hip to the outside of the shin bone or tibia.

Significance

• Tendinitis can make a person miss work or prevent him from participating in certain athletic events. It is more common in people over the age of 40. Workman's compensation laws recognize it as a disability and even provide compensation for workers who miss work because of it. Wrist tendinitis can affect factory workers who are engaged in repetitive motion all day. Tendons that normally slide easily through the tendon sheath or tenosynovium are hindered by inflammation. This can temporarily disable someone who works with their hands. Rotator cuff tendinitis can impair workers who reach upward or lift objects over their head. The tendons between the humerus and acromion bone in the scapula get thicker and the bursa sac becomes inflamed. Depending on the severity, it can practically immobilize a person's arm.

Treatment

• The best way to treat tendinitis is through rest and ice compression. Ice packs can be applied several times per day at 20-minute intervals. Ice causes vasoconstriction which limits blood flow to the area until the swelling subsides. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen can alleviate pain and inflammation. Cortisone may be necessary for severe cases of tendinitis. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary.

Prevention/Solution

• You can prevent tendinitis by stretching the joints before working out or playing sports. Simply bending the joints and holding certain positions can better prepare tendons for rigorous activity. For example, pulling the right or left elbow toward the chest can stretch the rotator cuff tendons in each shoulder. You can also prevent tendinitis by strengthening certain adjacent muscles. Strong quadriceps or hamstrings can help prevent tendinitis in the knee. You should never overdo any activity or workout.