Tendonitis Treatment Using Self Care Or Doctor Prescribed?
What are the Types of Tendonitis
Depending upon which joint you move that is effected by tendinitis will generate many different signs and symptoms. Some of these will include mild swelling, pain and also tenderness. It depends on where the pain is located that really creates a concern. Another concern is depending upon the type of tendonitis you have will determine the tendonitis treatment that is necessary.
There are many names that describe tendonitis problems. Some of these you have heard of. They are golfers elbow, pitchers shoulder, tennis elbow, swimmers shoulder and then there is even what is called jumpers knee.
Pain that emerges on the outer side of the forearm (located close to the elbow) when the forearm is rotated or one tries to grab hold of an item is associated with tennis elbow. Achilles tendonitis causes pain to develop right above the heel.
Adductor tendonitis brings about pain in the groin. Pain that rages just below the kneecap is associated with patellar tendonitis. Rotator cuff tendonitis is linked with shoulder pain.
Some Tendonitis Treatments
A patient wants to find a treatment that is going to stop the pain from happening over and over again, and also find a way to keep the inflammation down. There are really two trains of thought when it comes to this. One is doctor prescribed and the other is taking care of it at your home yourself.
If the pain and inflammation is severe a doctor may use a corticosteroid injection. Having these injections repeatedly can cause damage and weaken the tendon.
A doctor will also frequently prescribe physical therapy sessions and exercises that strengthen affected joints and muscles. In the worst-case scenarios, surgical repair becomes inevitable when a tendon is seriously torn.
The removal of damaged tendons aids in the formation of healthy tissue. Certain patients are lucky enough to gain full function and reduced pain through the repair of a “full-thickness” tendon tear.
Treat Tendonitis at Home
People have used the word RICE to help them treat their tendonitis symptoms at home. The word RICE stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. When mild symptoms are occurring this procedure seems to work very well. Sometimes this procedure can actually avoid additional medical costs.
Lets go through these quickly. Using slings, splints, elastic wraps and other items can be used for protection. These items help with the healing process and can actually prevent additional injury. Cutting back on the activities that cause the problem can be used for resting. Continue to perform the activity that caused the tendonitis to begin with will only worsen the inflammation and pain. Using the ice will help by diminishing the muscle spasms and also will reduce the swelling.
An elastic wrap, such as an Ace bandage, can be used to provide compression. Compression is a means of reducing swelling and keeping the joint in its proper position. In some cases, a splint may be used to keep the joint from moving. Then keep the joint elevated to reduce the blood flow, which will help with swelling and pain.
Medication and rest are two of the best ways to reduce inflammation and pain of tendonitis. In conjunction with this, exercise and other prevention treatments will help in the lab a normal range of motion to the affected joint.
When your tendonitis symptoms go from mild to severe and the current treatments are not providing relief a more severe approach may become necessary. Surgical restoration of the affected joint may be the best tendonitis treatment. But this would be only a last resort if all else fails.
