Tendonitis, or tendinitis, is a tendon strain caused by overstretching or pulling, a tendon, generally through chronic overuse. Repetitive motion disorders such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff or Achilles tendonitis can create severe inflammatory conditions. Pain relief and suppression of swelling are the goals of home remedies, which doctors recommend in most pulled tendon cases. It will also be necessary for patients to adjust their activity levels to accommodate discomfort and a limited range of motion.
Rest Periods
Some tendonitis conditions make rest mandatory by disabling the patient with pain and weakness, such as in a leg tendon strain. Since moving usually hurts a pulled tendon, a day or two of bed rest provides pain relief as well as a remedy for swelling.
Mild cases may require only periodic work or activity breaks throughout the day. The University of Buffalo Sports Medicine group suggests ceasing strenuous activity, including sports play, until the pain is gone.
Immobilization
Because movement is painful, immobilizing the pulled tendon area will provide pain relief and in some instances strengthen it for bearing weight or force, such as in walking or typing.
The Mayo Clinic reports that a compression bandage or wrap suited to the affected body part both supports the tendon and brings down swelling. Using a splint, sling, crutches or cane to reduce tendon strain during movement may be appropriate, depending upon the injury location.
Ice Applications
Tendonitis is common among baseball and tennis players, who typically use ice for pain relief following pulled tendons in the rotator cuff or elbow.
The Mayo Clinic suggests 20-minute applications of cold compresses, several times a day, as needed. An elbow or wrist may be effectively treated with an ice slush bath, while a reusable gel pack may be more convenient to apply to a shoulder or leg area.
Drug Therapy
Over-the-counter pain medications can be safely used along with ice for a superior pain remedy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, acetaminophen or naproxen are among the medicinal treatments for tendonitis recommended by the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Rehab Exercises
Following tendon strain and a rest period, your muscle and tendon tissue will be stiffer and weaker than normal. To regain fitness without re-injuring the tendon, you must perform rehab exercises that increase in intensity little by little.
A safe way to resume activity, the Mayo Clinic reports, is to move the affected tendon through its range of motion as soon as swelling diminishes. Gradually resuming activity after a rest period will restore flexibility and strength to the tendon before it has to perform any strenuous movements.
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