Tendonitis can be caused by repetitive or acute trauma or a combination of the two. Treatment for tendonitis is the same whether it developed as a repetitive stress injury or not.
Finding the Cause
The first step in treating / preventing tendonitis is understanding what caused it. Many general causes of repetitive stress injuries can be contributing factors for tendonitis. Performing repetitive flexing, bending or twisting at a joint also heightens your risk of developing tendonitis in that area.
Use the method outlined in Things to Do if You've Been Diagnosed with a Repetitive Stress Injury to identify the tasks causing the pain. Using a Visual Analog Pain Scale will help pinpoint the major and minor causes.
Stopping the Stress
The next step in your treatment / prevention of tendonitis is to stop performing those tasks or correct your body mechanics when you do.
- Use sound ergonomic equipment and setups.
- Ensure you stay within the comfortable range of motion of the joint.
- Keep muscular control over the entire motion being performed. Do not let things just flop around.
- Do not stress the joint with particularly heavy or unbalanced loads.
- Avoid side loading the joint. In other words keep the motion of the limbs in line with each other.
- Do not place a static load on the are of concern. Keep things moving. Even sitting for a while places a static load some where.
Maintain a Healthy Body
You need to stay healthy and fit. Maintain a healthy weight. Strong bodies are more resilient against the stressors that cause these conditions.
Maintain good cardiovascular health. Good blood flow to the affected area is crucial for healing. Blood carries fuel to the cells and carries waste away. Tissues like tendons do not receive a lot of flow as it is so they need all the help they can get to recuperate.
Playing with different muscles than those you work with can also provide relief to the injured area.
Home Treatment
Home treatment options for tendonitis include:
- Icing the affected area to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow
- Using over the counter, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease the swelling and manage pain (Warning: only use pain medication at times of rest to reduce the chance of further injury)
- Exercise to strengthen the injured area once symptoms have been reduced
Professional Treatment
When preventative and home treatment measures are not enough your health care professional may recommend these treatments. Only follow these treatments when instructed to by a health care professional. Treatments include:
- Icing the affected area to reduce inflammation and increase blood flow
- Wearing splints, wraps or casts to immobilize the joint and reduce repetitive trauma
- Using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to decrease the swelling and manage pain
- Ultrasound therapy to reduce swelling and fluid build up
- Cortisone injection to treat the inflammation
- Physical therapy and exercise to strengthen the injured area
- Surgery
Surgery is a last option for treatment of tendonitis. Removal of soft tissue around the problem area can give the tendon more room to move without irritation. Relieving, or cutting open, the sheath around the tendon can release pressure on the tendon in some situations. Surgery is also a viable option if an anatomical feature is causing the problem. If the tendon does not have a smooth spot to move over then surgery can smooth it out or realign the tendon.
Area Specific Tendonitis Treatments
Tendonitis can occur almost anywhere in the body. However, some areas are more prone to developing tendonitis. Some of these areas also have specific treatment and prevention options.
References: 1. General Practice Notebook. Tendinitis. Retrieved May 24, 2006.