Tendons refer to a fibrous band of tissues that connect your muscles to bone. They are necessary to provide sound structural support and flexibility to your body. Fortunately, these tendons can accommodate a wide variety of forces as you walk, reach, jump and run. Sometimes, tendons become inflamed, which can significantly hamper your movements. Diseases of the tendons can affect your ability to move comfortably, as well.
Achilles Tendonitis
The Mayo Clinic says that achilles tendonitis (also spelled tendinitis) is a condition in which the achilles tendon, located along the back of your ankle, becomes inflamed. This occurs when you play such intense sports as basketball, football and tennis. A form of ballet called pointe can also lead to this medical problem.
Physical signs of achilles tendonitis include pain when you walk or stand on your tip toes, pain or tenderness over the back of your ankle, swelling and a cracking sound when you manually move your achilles tendon.
The Mayo Clinic says that treatment for achilles tendonitis includes resting your feet and applying ice to decrease the swelling. Sometimes over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen can decrease your pain. Foot inserts (orthotic devices) and a walking boot and crutches to support your heel are other treatment options. Physical therapy can be utilized to strengthen and stretch your tendon, as well. Surgery may be indicated when the above mentioned treatments do not work.
Tenosynovitis
Tenosynovitis refers to an inflammation of the sheath that covers the tendons in your body. Trauma, infection and overuse can lead to tenosynovitis. Its symptoms include joint swelling or pain, trouble moving your joints and pain upon moving a joint. MedlinePlus says that tenosynovitis typically targets your hands, ankle and feet.
Like achilles tendonitis, treatment for tenosynovitis includes resting and applying cold (or hot) compresses to the affected region. You can also take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen. Sometimes, your doctor will opt to treat your affected body regions with local corticosteroid injections. These injections will directly reduce the pain, swelling and inflammation of your tenosynovitis. MedlinePlus says that antibiotics may be necessary to treat any infections that cause tenosynovitis.
Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
Rotator cuff tendonitis refers to the inflammation of tendons in your shoulder. The rotator cuff refers to a group of muscles, ligaments and tendons that allow for flexible shoulder movements. The Cleveland Clinic says that rotator cuff tendonitis symptoms includes pain that moves from your outer arm to below your shoulder. This major symptom especially occurs when you try to reach behind you or raise your arm. Sometimes, you can hear a clicking sound when raising your arm.
Like the aforementioned diseases, treatment is typically conservative for this condition. Resting the affected area, using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, applying ice and participating in physical therapy exercises are effective treatments. As a last resort, surgery may be needed to treat rotator cuff tendonitis.
