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What are Different Types of Tendinitis Treatment?

Nat Robinson
Nat Robinson

Sometimes for various reasons small fibrous structures within joints, called tendons, will swell. Tendinitis is the medical term of this location-specific inflammation. To treat the discomfort of tendinitis, doctors commonly advise patients to modify their daily activities. Immobilization, cold therapy and medicines are also included in the different types of tendinitis treatment. Often, for chronic symptoms, patients will undergo tendinitis treatments such as physical therapy and in the most extreme cases surgery.

Tendinitis treatment is typically necessary when a patient becomes very symptomatic. The symptoms of tendinitis will usually vary in each person with the inflammation problem. Swelling in the individual's affected joints is generally one of the foremost tendinitis symptoms. Additional symptoms will also frequently include pain and tenderness in or around the joints of the swollen tendons.

An ice pack, which can help with tendonitis.
An ice pack, which can help with tendonitis.

Generally, modifying individual activities and rest are two of the most widely used types of tendinitis treatment. It is typically advised to avoid activities that will put added pressure or stress on the body part affected by tendinitis. For example, individuals with tendinitis in the knee may be warned against participating in activities that will put extra pressure on the knee. This may include kneeling, bending or spending too much time on the inflamed knees. In addition, rest is also advisable, therefore, whenever possible the body part affected with tendinitis should be rested.

Rest is one of the most common tendonitis treatments.
Rest is one of the most common tendonitis treatments.

Often, tendinitis treatment will include immobilization. This may be done for several different reasons. Immobilization may become part of a tendinitis treatment plan because immobilizing the affected joint will generally limit joint movement. By limiting the movement in the joint, this may not only alleviate some of the most severe tendinitis symptoms such as pain, but mobilization may prevent further trauma as well. In most cases, splints and several different types of braces are used for immobilization purposes.

Physiotherapy often helps relieve the pain and inflammation associated with tendonitis.
Physiotherapy often helps relieve the pain and inflammation associated with tendonitis.

Cold therapy may also be used to treat tendinitis. The exact type of cold therapy which may be used can vary. Different patients may benefit from differ types of cold therapy. For some patients, applying ice packs to the swollen joints may serve as a very beneficial treatment for tendinitis pain and discomfort.

Medication is also regularly prescribed as tendinitis treatment. Doctors commonly prescribe one of the many types of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to treat inflammation, painful joints and swelling caused by tendinitis. Injections may also be used. For instance, some patients with extenuating pain may be given specific injections such as steroid injections. These injections will usually alleviate both swelling and joint pain.

Tendonitis is a very painful condition often afflicting the tendons of the elbow, shoulder, hip or knee.
Tendonitis is a very painful condition often afflicting the tendons of the elbow, shoulder, hip or knee.

Tendinitis treatments may also include stretching or other types of exercising. For this reason, many people with tendinitis go to a physical therapist for help with exercising the affected joints. In addition, when a patient is suffering from debilitating tendinitis symptoms, he or she may need some type of surgery to correct the problem.

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    • An ice pack, which can help with tendonitis.
      By: Marc Dietrich
      An ice pack, which can help with tendonitis.
    • Rest is one of the most common tendonitis treatments.
      By: snyfer
      Rest is one of the most common tendonitis treatments.
    • Physiotherapy often helps relieve the pain and inflammation associated with tendonitis.
      By: aykuterd
      Physiotherapy often helps relieve the pain and inflammation associated with tendonitis.
    • Tendonitis is a very painful condition often afflicting the tendons of the elbow, shoulder, hip or knee.
      By: Monkey Business
      Tendonitis is a very painful condition often afflicting the tendons of the elbow, shoulder, hip or knee.
    • Regular stretching can help treat the symptoms of tendonitis.
      By: nebari
      Regular stretching can help treat the symptoms of tendonitis.
    • Chronic tendonitis can be caused by repetitive use of the ankles.
      By: Dirima
      Chronic tendonitis can be caused by repetitive use of the ankles.