If you continue to use this inflamed area and do not allow it time to heal you are going to develop chronic tendonitis and the pain and inflammation will just get worse with each use. You may have to modify your activity a little, but this is going to help.
Chronic tendonitis is a dull but constant soreness that feels worse when you first start to move. It then eases up as muscles get warmer. Acute tendonitis is a sharper pain that may keep you from moving the joint. The pain may eventually go away.
The pain of tendinitis can be significant and worsens if damage progresses because of continued use of the joint. Most damage heals in about two to four weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six weeks, often because the sufferer doesn't give the tendon time to heal.
Tendinitis (or tendonitis) is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon. Tendons are pieces of connective tissue between muscles and bones. Tendinitis can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term) in nature.
There is a prevalent supposition that tendinosis begins with tendinitis, which then instigates a healing process that changes the collagen and weakens the tendon, becoming tendinosis.
Will Tendonitis Heal on Its Own? 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.
Stage IV of Tendinitis
This is the most painful stage with continuous pain. There is pain before, during and after activity. The pain alters how a person is playing, and they change the way they play to avoid pain. At this stage, there needs to be complete rest.
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.
Tendon healing occurs in three phases, inflammation, repair and remodelling. The inflammatory process happens for 3-7 days after injury. At approximately day the collagen production starts. In the following months, this new tissue then matures and the collagen fibres settle in the tendon.
Tendonitis is usually caused by sudden, sharp movements or repetitive exercise, such as running, jumping or throwing. Tendonitis can also be caused by repetitive movements, or having poor posture or technique while at work or when playing a sport. This is known as repetitive strain injury (RSI).
To treat tendinitis at home, use rest, ice, compression and elevation. This treatment can help speed recovery and help prevent more problems. Rest. Avoid doing things that increase the pain or swelling.
When should I see a doctor for tendonitis? If pain does not improve in a few days, see your doctor, who may prescribe physical therapy to work on the flexibility and strength of the involved tendon, and possibly modify mechanics (how one performs the physical activity).
There's a weakness in the muscle or one of the surrounding muscles, lots of muscle tension, and a history of repetitive movement under load. All of these affect each other and one will cause the other to get worse.
In general, the prognosis is very good with rest and conservative therapy. Chronic tendinopathy can lead to weakening of the tendon and subsequent rupture.
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.
Remember: If it gets better within 3 to 5 days of rest and does not return, it probably was a simple case of inflammation. If your tendon pain does not go away or keeps returning once you resume activity, it is most likely a tendinopathy and requires much more attention!
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.
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.
Who gets Tendonitis? Although tendonitis can occur at any age, it is more common in adults over 40 years of age. As tendons age, they tolerate less stress and are less flexible.
Inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling in tendon healing. Tendon healing after surgical repair generally progresses through a short inflammatory phase, which lasts about a week, followed by a proliferative phase, which lasts a few weeks, followed by a remodeling phase, which lasts many months.
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.