Tendinitis

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis is a condition in which one or more of your tendons (the fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones) grow badly irritated and inflamed. There are many types of tendonitis which affect various parts of the body, including:

• Achilles tendonitis: affects the long tendon connecting your calf muscle and heel bone
• Tennis elbow: affects the outer epicondyle tendon in the outer elbow
• Golfer’s elbow: affects the inner epicondyle tendon in the inner elbow
• Jumper’s knee: affects the patellar tendon in the front of the knee
• Rotator cuff tendonitis: affects a group of tendons in the shoulder

Tendonitis usually affects one side of the body, such as your right foot and ankle area when you have Achilles tendonitis. But, some people develop bilateral tendonitis on both sides of the body.

I have lower leg and heel pain. Is it tendonitis?

Achilles tendonitis can cause pain and soreness in the back part of the lower leg and above the heel. Many people experience the worst of the pain in the morning. You might also experience stiffness, swelling, and a feeling of warmth around the Achilles tendon. 

But these symptoms aren’t a guarantee that you have Achilles tendonitis. Other problems like arthritis, nerve compression, and fractures may cause similar symptoms, so it’s important to call Prestige Medical Care if you think you might have tendonitis.

What caused my tendonitis?

Although you can develop tendonitis nearly anywhere you have a tendon, it does tend to occur in the tendons that you use a lot on a daily basis. For that reason, it’s considered an overuse injury. 

Some common reasons for developing tendonitis include working out too intensely and exercising for too long. People who work in jobs where they make the same movements repeatedly, like assembly line jobs, have a higher risk of tendonitis.

Other factors can cause tendon stress that contributes to tendonitis also, for example, wearing unsupportive shoes and having bad posture. 

How is tendonitis treated?

Tendonitis almost always improves with conservative treatments. Prestige Medical Care may recommend rest, physical therapy, custom-made orthotics, and over-the-counter pain medication. You’ll also learn a special stretching routine to elongate your lower leg muscles and prevent Achilles tendon injuries.  

If you’re in pain and suspect tendonitis, call Prestige Medical Care or book your appointment online to get help today.