In most cases, tendonitis heals in two to four weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six. With chronic cases, the patient might experience restriction of motion of the joint because of scarring or narrowing of the tissue surrounding the tendon.
Tendinitis can occur as a result of injury or overuse. Playing sports is a common cause. Tendinitis also can occur with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Body-wide (systemic) diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, can also lead to tendinitis.
Pain and Swelling in Other Joints. Even though the joints listed above are some of the most common sites to develop tendon inflammation, you can get it in any location that there's a tendon.
Shoulder tendonitis pain—usually felt at the tip of the shoulder or radiating down the arm—commonly occurs when the arm is lifted overhead or twisted.
Without treatment, tendinitis can increase the risk of a tendon breaking down or tearing. A completely torn tendon might need surgery.
If tendonitis is left untreated, you could develop chronic tendonitis, a tendon rupture (a complete tear of the tendon), or tendonosis (which is degenerative). Chronic tendonitis can cause the tendon to degenerate and weaken over time.
Tendinitis may go away over time. If not, the doctor will recommend treatments to reduce pain and inflammation and preserve mobility. Severe symptoms may require specialized treatment from a rheumatologist, an orthopaedic surgeon or a physical therapist.
Tendinitis can occur in almost any area of the body where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle.
The tendons go from the head and neck all the way down to the feet, and tendonitis can occur in any area of the body where a tendon is connecting a bone to a muscle.
rotator cuff tendonitis: usually dull, aching shoulder pain that can't be tied to one location. The pain often extends into the upper arm toward the chest, and may be worse at night and interfere with sleep.
When tendons get inflamed or irritated, this is commonly referred to as tendinitis. Most of the time, overuse or repetitive movement of a limb causes the tendon to get inflamed or irritated. Other conditions such as autoimmune disease or infections may cause this sort of inflammation as well.
When you leave your tendonitis untreated, the affected tendon can weaken and become more prone to tears and possible rupture. A ruptured tendon requires surgical repair and can cause permanent disability in severe cases. Repeated bouts of tendonitis can result in a buildup of scar tissue in the affected area.
Treating tendonitis
Apply ice packs. Compress the area with an elastic bandage to ease soreness and inflammation. Keep the joint elevated. Your healthcare provider may recommend taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as aspirin (in adults), naproxen, or ibuprofen.
Massage therapy has been proven to be a great alternative to traditional pain management. For people suffering from tendonitis, it can help with pain relief and speed up the recovery process.
They may be caused by strain, overuse, injury, or too much exercise. Tendonitis may also be related to a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection.
Most cases of tendinopathy recover completely without the need for any medical input. However, uncommonly, severe untreated tendinopathy can lead to rupture of the tendon.
While continuing to move and keep the tendons under some resistance is critical to a faster recovery . Pushing through pain will only aggravate the issue and lead to chronic pain.
The more severe the tendinopathy, the less likely stretching would help. In fact, stretching results in further compression of the tendon at the irritation point, which actually worsens the pain.
Patients with tendinitis may be unable to work because of their disease and its related complications. Patients who find themselves unable to work because of their tendinitis may qualify for long term disability (LTD) benefits.
Changes to ligaments and tendons as a result of disease and injury can be demonstrated using both ultrasound and MRI.
People suffering from tendonitis must realize that this condition will not heal on its own. Treatment requires intentional rest and non-use of the tendon. The good news is that the tendon will heal naturally, meaning invasive procedures are unnecessary.