Tendonitis

Tendonitis

Tendonitis can be painful and uncomfortable. What is it and how do you treat it?

Good advice for tendinitis

It is important to relieve the joint that is inflamed as much as possible when you have tendinitis, but it should not normally be completely at rest as the joint can then stiffen. It is advisable to use a support bandage so that the joint is relieved and the swelling reduced. With rest and relaxation, most people get rid of tendonitis within a couple of weeks.

After a tendonitis, and to prevent new inflammations, it is smart to;

• Avoid acute overloads, such as heavy lifting

• Exercise varied

• Vary your working position and take some stretching breaks

• Use a nursing pillow if you are breastfeeding

An inflamed tendon should be slowly re-trained. A physiotherapist can teach you correct and good exercises.

Treatment

Acute tendinitis is treated with anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine (NSAIDs), for example preparations with the active ingredient ibuprofen or diclofenac. Not everyone can use NSAIDs. Painkillers with paracetamol can be an alternative to NSAIDs. Over-the-counter, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medications can be used for shorter periods to relieve the pain. It is important to read the package insert carefully before use. If you have severe tendinitis, we recommend that you speak to your doctor, as you may need medication that is only available on prescription.

Long-term tendinitis should always be treated in consultation with a doctor. In the case of long-term tendinitis (over a couple of weeks), your doctor may consider other treatment. In some cases, the doctor will insert a cortisone injection into the joint. About half get better after a cortisone injection, while others need more injections. In rare cases of chronic tendinitis, the doctor may find surgery necessary. The operation then involves opening the tendon sheath so that the tendon's range of motion is increased.

What is tendonitis?

Tendons are formed by connective tissue membranes that enclose the muscles. The membranes flow together at the end of the muscle, forming strong tendons that attach to the skeleton. The tendons are surrounded by tendon sheaths which ensure better mobility. In tendonitis, it is these tendon sheaths that become inflamed and the tendon has less room to move/slide in. This causes pain and reduced mobility in the joint.

All the body's tendons can become inflamed, but it is most common to get tendinitis in the shoulder, elbow (tennis elbow and golfer's elbow), wrist, knee and heel.

Causes of tendinitis

A tendinitis is usually caused by long-term and one-sided muscle work (strain damage), for example during little varied exercise, breastfeeding or because of a job that requires a lot of typing on a keyboard or other repetitive movements. In rare cases, tendinitis can be caused by an acute injury (blow, bump or cut).

Symptoms of tendinitis?

• Tender muscles around the joint.

• Pain, especially when moving the inflamed tendon.

• When you press on the spot, it feels like pressing on a bag of potato flour.

• The area may become swollen, red and warm (these are typical symptoms of inflammation).

• Reduced mobility.

When should you see a doctor for tendinitis?

• If you have severe or prolonged pain

• If the symptoms do not improve with relief

• If the pain does not improve after using over-the-counter medicines for a few days

• If you still have tendinitis after finishing treatment

Sources: Norwegian drug handbook for health personnel, Norwegian electronic medical handbook, Helsenorge.no