Tendonitis Treatment Overview
The tendons are strands of tissue connecting your muscles and bones that help you move. When these tendons are overused, it can lead to a condition called tendonitis. Tendonitis is the irritation or inflammation of a tendon, causing pain, swelling and discomfort.
Tendonitis can happen anywhere in the body and is often caused by tight muscles and overuse. Repetitive stress leads to micro-tears that inflame and weaken the tendon in the elbow, knee, shoulder, hip, hands and Achilles’ tendon. When this condition affects the knee, it is sometimes referred to as “runner’s knee.”
Tendonitis is a very common injury that over 20 million people in the U.S. have. If you are dealing with pain and inflammation caused by tendonitis and need treatment, you can rely on our team at Northeast Georgia Physicians Group (NGPG) Orthopedic Surgery to deliver expert diagnosis and care.
What are the symptoms of tendonitis?
Depending on which tendons are inflamed, tendonitis symptoms may vary in location and severity. Typically, symptoms will be felt in or around the knee, elbow, shoulder, hip, hand or ankle. The most common symptoms of tendonitis may include:
- Pain around the affected tendon
- Swelling and discoloration
- Stiffness in the joints
- Tenderness and difficulty moving
What causes tendonitis?
Some common causes of tendonitis include:
- Overuse and strain
- Sudden injury
- Incorrect form while exercising
- Diabetes
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Certain infections
- Improper footwear
Who’s at risk for tendonitis?
Because tendonitis is caused by stress on the tendons, people with active hobbies and professions are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with it. Those of advanced age may be more likely to develop tendonitis when they are active.
How is tendonitis diagnosed?
Tendonitis is usually able to be diagnosed with a simple physical exam. Your provider will likely ask about your pain and daily activities leading up to when your symptoms began. If your doctor suspects you may have a different issue causing your pain, you may go through imaging tests like X-rays or ultrasounds.
How is tendonitis treated?
Depending on the severity of your case, your healthcare provider may suggest different types of tendonitis treatment. Some common treatment routes for tendonitis include:
Initial Treatments
Some of the common initial treatments for tendonitis can be done at home after consulting with a medical provider. Some of these include:
- RICE – rest, ice, compression, elevation
- Slowly increasing exercise duration or intensity
- Stretching regularly
- Physical therapy exercises
- Adding strengthening exercises like lunges or squats to your routine
- Cortisone injections
Intensive & Surgical Treatments
When traditional methods of treatment aren’t effective to treat your tendonitis, your provider may suggest other methods of care. Surgical options may vary depending on the location and severity of your tendon inflammation. Some specialized treatments for tendonitis that NGPG Orthopedic Surgery offers are:
- Debridement: This surgical option involves the removal of inflamed or damaged tissues caused by tendonitis and is recommended for severe cases not resolved by traditional methods. Debridement is typically a surgery performed on the knee or ankle to treat tendonitis.
- Arthroscopic surgery: This minimally invasive surgical treatment involves creating a small incision and using an instrument with a tiny camera, or scope, on the end to perform tendon repairs. NGPG Orthopedic Surgery specializes in arthroscopic options for ankle, hand and knee surgeries to treat tendonitis and other issues.
Choose NGPG for Tendonitis Treatment
Symptoms caused by tendonitis can be painful and limit your day-to-day activities. Timely assessment and adjustments for these issues can head off worsening injuries or long-term issues. That’s why NGPG Orthopedic Surgery offers easy access to our highly qualified orthopedic team through our Orthopedic Walk-In Clinics, offered 5 days a week, and online appointment scheduling with our doctors and advanced practitioners. As the leading orthopedic program in north Georgia, we offer the expertise you need at offices across the region exactly when you need it.