Exercise, while beneficial for bones, muscles and joints, can also cause pain in certain parts of the body. Pain can occur during exercise if you put too much stress on your body, particularly in situations where you begin an exercise program and try to do too much too soon. Additionally, injuries can cause pain to flare up during exercise or similar activities. Tendon pain that occurs while exercising may be the result of too much body stress or injury to specific areas.
Tendons
Tendons are pieces of tissue that connect muscles to bones. They are primarily composed of collagen and are important for body movement through activities and exercise. If tendons become injured, they may be slow to heal completely. Skeletal muscles have two tendons, one at each end of the muscle, that connect them to the bones. Tendons are located in various places in the body, including the knee, the shoulder, the elbow, and behind the ankle; the ankle tendon is referred to as the Achilles tendon.
Tendonitis
Tendon pain during exercise may be related to tendonitis, a condition where the tendon becomes inflamed. Tendonitis causes pain in the affected area as well as redness of the skin overlying the tendon, warmth in the area and swelling. Inflammation may be present and worsen with exercise. Tendonitis can occur because of overuse or repetitive movements of the area. The condition known as tennis elbow typically occurs as inflammation of the tendons in the upper forearm at the elbow, and often occurs in tennis players, who use their arms repetitively in the sport .
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis is a condition similar to tendonitis that causes tendon pain while exercising. The synovium is a type of sheath that surrounds the tendon and forms a protective covering. Tenosynovitis occurs when this sheath becomes inflamed, causing difficulties with movement, pain, tenderness and redness. Infection in the area may also manifest as fever and swelling in the affected area, in addition to discomfort during activities. People who have sustained an injury to one of their tendons or who have an infected wound or cut in the area are more likely to develop tenosynovitis.
Management
Managing tendon pain during exercise depends on the cause of the pain. Tendonitis may be relieved through some pain medications. According to the American College of Rheumatology, tendonitis caused by repetitive movements requires rest and abstaining from the repetitive exercise until the area has healed. Tenosynovitis may also be relieved with rest of the affected area and use of analgesic medication. Tendon infections related to tenosynovitis may need antibiotics or surgery if severe. If you have tendon pain while exercising, see your doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your condition.
