What exactly is a tendon? A tendon, a tough yet flexible band of fibrous tissue, connects muscles to bones and transmits the force of muscle contraction to the bones, thus enabling movement.
Tendons range in size throughout the body. Some tendons are small, like those that cause finger movements, and others are larger, such as the Achilles tendon in the heel.
When functioning normally, tendons glide smoothly as the muscle contracts, leading to normal, painless movement. However, when the tendon inflames, the action of pulling a muscle becomes irritating and painful. This is when tendonitis occurs, and it literally translates to inflammation of the tendon.
Most commonly, the condition of tendonitis occurs after overuse of the muscles, when people begin a new exercise program or intensify their level of exercise. The tendon is not used to the new demands placed upon it and fights to adjust; inflammation and discomfort of varying degrees ensue, causing tendonitis.
As with many other conditions, age is another vital factor in the onset of tendonitis. As people age, their tendons are not as elastic as they were during their younger years; they do not glide as smoothly as they once did to achieve optimum movement. This is perhaps due to the changes in blood vessels that fortify the tendons. Therefore, older people often are more likely to develop tendonitis, along with other joint and muscle conditions.
An anatomical cause or injury also can bring about the onset of the tendonitis condition. If the tendon does not have a smooth path to glide along, it naturally is more easily irritated and inflamed. Surgical treatment may be necessary to realign the tendon in these instances; however, this only occurs in rare cases.
Usually surgery is not needed, but only a doctor can decide the seriousness of your condition. Regardless of its cause, tendonitis can be a painful, at the very least irritating condition; one that can affect your day-to-day life.
A doctor may prescribe a number of remedies, including anti-inflammatory medications, NSAIDS, cortisone injections, ice treatments, or another means of treatment; but only after a thorough consultation with a medical professional will sufferers determine the solution to this all too common ailment. For while there are many potential remedies for tendonitis, they may not all be right for you.
Only your doctor can tell you how best to deal with your tendonitis condition, thus putting on the path to better, more comfortable living.
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