Tendonitis: What Are Your Joints Telling You

Aching joints is a form of inflammation known as arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis. You feel stiff after sitting or sleeping for a long period of time. Your mobility is hindered by persistent pain. Or a past injury starts flaring up again.

When injured or worn out over time due to any number of factors, bones, tendons, and the protective cushion around them can become swollen and sore.

Athletes are at a heightened risk of joint pain and tendonitis. Patients with tendonitis may experience localized pain, swelling, warmth, and redness. Tendonitis can occur due to repetitive movements, injury and other related conditions, such as tennis elbow.

Tendonitis is commonly mistaken for arthritis. Going to the doctor for early diagnosis is crucial, as the symptoms that arise are almost identical. Our tendons are thick, cordlike, fibrous tissue structures that attach muscles to bone and help our joints move. There are hundreds of tendons throughout the body—however, certain tendons in the body are more prone to problems than others.

Common treatments include resting the affected joint, physical therapy, modified activities, and taking over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen. It will take several weeks for patients with tendonitis to recover, but it may vary depending on the person’s case.

In case the tendonitis pain doesn’t go away, they may provide a referral to a rheumatologist, orthopedic surgeon, or physical therapist for specialized treatment. Symptoms include pain with movement and a joint that’s tender to touch.

Source: Movement Ortho