What Is Tendonitis?
Heather Colman
Tendonitis (also tenonitis or tendinitis) is an inflammation of
a tendon. For example, patellar tendonitis (jumper's knee) is an
inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the tibia to
the patella.
Chronic overuse of tendons leads to microscopic tears within
the collagen matrix, which gradually weakens the tissue.
Swelling in a region of microdamage or partial tear can be
detected visually or by palpation. Increased water content and
disorganised collagen matrix in tendon lesions may be detected
by ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging.
Due to their highly specialised ultrastructure and slow
collagen turnover, tendons and ligaments are very slow to heal
if injured, and rarely regain their original strength. Partial
tears heal by the rapid production of disorganised type-III
collagen, which is inferior in strength to normal tendon.
Recurrence of injury in the damaged region of tendon is common.
Treatment of tendon injuries is largely palliative.
Non-steroidal anti- inflammatory drugs combined with rest and
gradual return to exercise is a common therapy. Acupuncture is
an alternative treatment that can be used to reduce pain and
heal injured tendon more quickly. Return to function may be
accelerated by the injection of stem cells. Completely ruptured
tendons may be sutured together with or without grafted
material.
Achilles tendonitis is a common injury, particularly in sports
that involve lunging and jumping.
A veterinary equivalent to Achilles tendonitis is a bowed
tendon, tendonitis of the superficial digital flexor tendon of
the horse.
Symptoms can vary from an achy pain and stiffness to the local
area of the tendon, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint
around the inflamed tendon. With this condition, the pain is
usually worse during and after activity, and the tendon and
joint area can become stiffer the following day.
The most common tendon areas that become inflamed are the
elbow, wrist, biceps, shoulder (including rotator cuff
attachments), leg, knee (patellar), ankle, hip, and Achilles.
Of course, tendonitis will vary with each person, as it strikes
the areas you use most.
About The Author: Permission is granted to reprint this article
as long as no changes are made, and the entire resource box is
included. This article is Copyright © 2006, Heather Colman.
Find more tenonitis resources at:
http://www.tendonitis-notes.info
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