Understanding the Causes of Tendonitis
Tendonitis (or tendinitis) is the inflammation or aggravation of one of your body's numerous tendons. To comprehend the cause of tendonitis, you should first understand what tendons are and what they do. Tendons are robust, relatively elastic, fibrous threads of tissue that connect various muscles to bones. Tendons allow movement by working with the surrounding muscles to wield a pulling force on bones.
Tendonitis occurs at any age. However, it is much more standard in individuals who are active and is frequently associated with sports. This makes sense if you imagine tendons as rubber bands. You can stretch them, but only so far – and intense forces, like running and then rotating quickly, can provoke acute (sudden) damage to a vulnerable tendon. Some redundant job-related duties can also lead to tendonitis, where too much of a single motion begins to overexert a particular area.
Overexerting your body's tendons, pushing them too far (even over a short period), or overexerting your tendons by doing repetitive tasks for too long are common grounds for tendonitis. In addition, the condition is usually called by connection with the affected area: For instance, rotator cuff, bicep, or Achilles tendonitis all refer to the specific tendon impacted. Tendonitis is also known by other names like tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, swimmer's shoulder, pitcher's shoulder, jumper's knee, and more.
The primary thing to keep in mind is that tendonitis usually occurs when you push your body beyond its breaking point. Therefore, if you exercise regularly or stretch before performing strenuous movements that are repetitive in character, then you will dramatically reduce your risk of suffering from tendonitis.
So-called 'weekend warriors' frequently experience tendonitis because they lead a primarily sedentary lifestyle during the week and then push their bodies beyond normal boundaries on weekends. An active lifestyle is a good thing and should be promoted. However, remember to take all the necessary safeguards with appropriate warm-ups and cool-down periods.
What tendons are affected by tendonitis?
While tendonitis can appear in any of your body's tendons, it's most often noticed in your shoulders, knees, elbows, heels, wrists, and fingers. People typically report discomfort, pain, inflammation, and tenderness in the affected joint. Tendonitis can be caused by repetitive motions like:
- Raking and sweeping
- Typing and driving
- Painting
- Shoveling
- Carpentry
- Sports (like tennis, golf, or baseball)
In addition, if you take certain medications and have joint disorders like arthritis, prior tendon injuries, or other existing irregularities, you might be at a higher risk of developing tendonitis. Talking to an orthopedic doctor is one of the best beginnings for a suitable remedy because specifying the root cause of your discomfort is usually the first and most helpful step toward healing and relieving pain.