Tendinitis

1. Tendinitis Also known as tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon (a band of fibrous tissue that connect muscle to bone) that causes pain, tenderness and occasionally, restricted movement of the muscle attached to the affected tendon. Created by Hanna H. Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

2. Description of Tendinitis Tendinitis can cause permanent damage to the tendons. The natural tendency to favor the painful area also can lead to stiffness. A vauge discomfort at the age of 30, if overuse is continued for years, this can lead to a loss of flexibility due to scarring of the tissue. Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

3. Types of Tendinitis There are three types of knee tendinitis: • Patellar tendinitis (also called “jumper’s knee”) affects the patellar tendon just below the patella. (knee cap). The person complains of pain during an activity such as landing from a jump and going downstairs, or lack of activity, such as sitting for long periods of time. • Quadriceps tendinitis affects the patellar tendon just above the knee cap. The condition is likely to be found in athletes who do a lot of rapid acceleration and deceleration. • Popliteus tendinitis affects the sight of insertion of the popliteus tendon on the lateral epicondyle of the femur. Runner’s particularly runners who run down hills or sloping surfaces, are likely to complain of this tendinitis.

4. Foot Tendinitis Tendinitis can affect four different tendons of the foot • The achilles tendon • The posterior tibial tendon • The anterior tibial tendon • The peroneal tendon Symptoms of achilles tendinitis are pain and tenderness anywhere along the back of the tendon, limited ankle flexibility, redness or heat over the painful area, a nodule growth forming on the tendon and a crackling sound that can be heard when the ankle moves. This condition is caused by tight or fatigued calf muscles, inadequate warm up of muscles, overtraining, excessive hill running, speed work and inflexible running shoes. Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

5. Elbow Tendinitis • Elbow Tendinitis affects the lateral epicondyle and the medial epicondyle. The lateral epicondyle is the outside bony portion of the elbow where the large tendons attach to the elbow from the muscles of the forearm, when strained, this is called lateral epicondyleitis or “tennis elbow” • Tennis elbow results in pain over the outside of the elbow with flexion (bending down) or extension (bending up) of the wrist and tenderness, warmth and swelling of the affected area. • The treatment for tennis elbow includes ice packs, resting the elbow, anti-inflammatory medications ( such as aspirin, naproxen and Motrin) and bracing the elbow. Injecting cortisone and a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the tendon usually provides substantial relief within 24 to 72 hours. Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

6. Shoulder Tendinitis There are three types of shoulder tendinitis. 1. rotator cuff 2. calcific tendinitis 3.biceps tendinitis The rotator cuff consists of four muscles around the shoulder joint that help control the shoulders position and keep it stable. With rotator cuff tendinitis the pain is located about three inches below the top of the shoulder and is felt when reaching over head or behind the back. Rotator cuff tendinitis will usually resolve with rest, anti-inflammatory medications or an injection of cortisone and a local anesthetic into the areas surrounding the tendon, as well as exercising using light weights. Calcific tendinitis is caused by calcium deposits in the rotator cuff region. Symptoms include excruciating pain and sever restriction of shoulder motion. X-rays reveal calcium deposits within the rotator cuff or overlying the head of the humerus. Treatment includes injection of cortisone and a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the tendon. Multiple needle punctures into the calcium deposit may break up the deposit. Biceps tendinitis is inflammation of the biceps tendons that attach to the shoulder. Biceps tendons that attach to the shoulder. Biceps tendinitis usually affects individuals whose occupation involves repetitive biceps flexion against resistance or whose activities include forceful throwing of a ball. Biceps tendinitis will resolve with rest, anti-inflammatory medications or an injection of cortisone and a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the tendon, as well as a sling to immobilize the shoulder. Surgery is occasionally required to stabilize a displaced tendon Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

7. Prevention of Tendinitis • Proper conditioning • Gradual introduction of activity • Warm-up and stretching prior to exercise • Wearing appropriate shoes for the activity

8. Causews and risk factors of Tendinitis • The most common causes of tendinitis are injury, overuse, infection of the tendon sheath or disease (tendinitis is evident in rheumatoid arthritis, gout and psoriatic arthritis). More often than not, the cause of tendinitis is unknown Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR

9. Diagnosis of Tendinitis • In order to properly and accurately diagnose tendinitis a careful study of medical history and physical examination is required by the health care provider. X-rays are of great help for excluding any bone abnormalities or conditions like arthritis. As tendons are not generally visible to the naked eyes on x-rays. MRI’s and ultrasound are often found to be useful in the detection of tendinitis. Blood tests may be taken in order to confirm presence of any other underlying conditions. But such tests are generally not necessary in the process of diagnosing tendinitis. Presented for Dr. Ryan Lambert-Bellacov, chiropractor in West Linn, OR