What is Tendonitis?
Tendons are tough but flexible bands of fibrous tissue that connects your muscles to their bones. When it becomes inflamed, they can become irritated by the action of your muscles and movement can become painful. This can occur in any tendon in your body but usually occurs in the ankle (Achilles or Posterior Tibial Tendon), wrist, kneecap, elbow or shoulder.
The main culprits of tendonitis are sudden traumatic injury and overuse. Other causes may include inflammatory diseases such as Reactive Arthritis (formerly called Reiter’s Syndrome) or Rheumatoid Arthritis.
These tendon related issues are most commonly related in individuals between ages 40 to 60 years. At this age, tendons are not as elastic nor forgiving as when the individual was younger so they are more likely to become injured.
Every type of Tendonitis is usually followed by pain, swelling and tenderness in the area of the involved tendon. The onset may be rapid, such as with any athletic related injuries.
- Achilles Tendonitis causes pain and swelling in the back of the heel.
- Patellar (Kneecap) Tendonitis, which is also called jumper’s knee, causes your tendon to become inflamed and painful.
- Posterior Tibial Tendonitis occurs near the Achilles Tendon, but is less common and the symptoms are felt on the inner side of the ankle.
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis is a cause of pain in the shoulder.
- Tennis Elbow causes pain over the outside of the elbow. Although it is commonly associated with people who play tennis, it can occur in people who perform other sports or repetitive activities of the wrist and elbow.
- Wrist Tendonitis can cause pain and swelling around the wrist.
