A tendon is a tissue that acts as a bridge between muscles and bones. When it becomes too inflamed and or irritated, it is then diagnosed as tendonitis. It can develop at any age, however, as we age, our tendons can only tolerate so much stress. Our expert physical therapy in Huntington NY at ISPT says that tendonitis causes pain, soreness, and tenderness around a specific joint.
Where Does Tendonitis Occur?
Tendonitis is most commonly likely to appear near your joints. The most common places on your body are:
- Hands
- Wrists
- Elbows
- Shoulders
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
What Causes Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is not usually caused by a sudden injury, though it can be. It is typically more likely to stem from repetitive activities. When you are performing the same movement over and over, it causes stress on the muscles and tendons and creates tendonitis. It is important to ensure that you are using proper technique when doing said repetitive actions so the tendon is not overloaded.
What Symptoms Come with Tendonitis?
Though there are not many symptoms, it does not mean that they should be ignored. The most common signs and symptoms of tendonitis include:
- Pain and aches of the affected area
- Soreness and tenderness
- Swelling and sensitive to touch
How Can You Prevent Tendonitis?
Tendonitis can be prevented if you take the proper precautions. Here are some tips from Island Sports Physical Therapy in Huntington to help you:
- Ease up
- Avoid activities that cause strain
- Rest
- Do not do the same activity for prolonged periods
- Mix it up
- Change the activity if it requires repetitive motions
- Improve your technique
- Get instructions when beginning a new activity to ensure you are performing it properly
- Stretch
- It is good to stretch afterward to maximize the range of your joints
- Strengthen your muscles
- Prepare them to withstand any stress
Treatments For Tendonitis
If you have any of the previously stated symptoms and believe you may have tendonitis, here are some ways you can treat it according to Island Sports PT. It is important to be aware that if tendonitis is left untreated, you will be more prone to injuries and that the tendon can potentially tear. If you are unsure of which treatment is best for you, make sure to contact us for physical therapy in Huntington NY to set up an appointment to determine the best course of action.
- Physical Therapy
- Specific exercises that stretch and strengthen the tendon
- Home Remedies
- Rest
- Avoid strenuous activities
- Ice
- To decrease swelling and pain, ice for 20 minutes
- Compression
- Use tight wraps or braces to compress to area and swelling
- Rest
- Medications
- Pain relievers
- Aleve, Advil, Motrin, and others
- Corticosteroids
- Cortisone reduces inflammation which can ease pain
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
- Takes a sample of blood, spins it, and is injected into the area to induce healing
- Pain relievers
- Surgical Procedures
- Dry needling
- This procedure makes small holes in the tendons to stimulate healing
- Ultrasonic treatment
- This procedure uses a small incision to use a small device that removes scar tissue
- Surgery
- If the tendon has torn, surgical repair may be needed
- Dry needling
Island Sports Physical Therapy In Huntington NY
Here at Island Sports Physical Therapy in Huntington NY, we have been helping our patients feel better since 1985. We believe that our patients need and deserve education along with their treatment. Not only will our amazing equipment help you feel better, but so will the contribution of all of our therapists’ intelligence. Our education and exercise training are developed to fit each patient’s individual needs. We hope that we can not only help you recover, but to prevent any further injuries, and to see you soon. Contact us today!