People at risk of getting tendonitis and bursitis

Tendonitis can be caused by sport activities, training or trauma to a joint and injury, but is most often the result of a repetitive task like computer users.

For example, dentist, accountant, computer user, typist, musician and painting may develop a tendonitis or bursitis in the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee and ankle. The tennis game can strain the tendon on the outside of the elbow and cause tendonitis. "Tennis elbow"

People such as computer users, painters, musicians, and athletes who perform activities that require repetitive motions or place stress on joints are at higher risk for tendinitis and bursitis.

Tendonitis or bursitis may occur in individuals with diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout psoriatic arthritis, thyroid disease and diabetes.

Diagnosis of tendonitis and bursitis

Diagnosis of tendonitis and bursitis require a medical history and careful physical examination by doctor or sport physiotherapist. On diagnoses and physical examination, there will often be tenderness along the involved tendon or its sheath (outer covering) or at one particular point within the tendon and pain when the muscle to which the tendon is attached is worked against resistance. X-rays do not show bursae or tendons, but may be useful in excluding other bone or joint problems. Blood tests, as well as MRI and diagnostic ultrasound which may be useful in the detection of these conditions, are generally not required.

Treatment of tendonitis and bursitis

Sport physiotherapist is the main professionals who does diagnoses and treat tendonitis and bursitis. Treatment of these two conditions is based on the underlying cause. In overuse or injury, reduction of the causing force or stress is mandatory. A computer user or dentist may need to review the ergonomic position that is used on a daily basis.

Failure to treat the tendonitis and bursitis on time will result in continuing symptoms and causing other complications like frozen shoulder. Splints or braces for the affected part are a means of achieving rest and reduction of stress on the part, especially in the hand and wrist area.

Treatments, particularly ice, may help to reduce inflammation and pain. Ultrasound is often of benefit and is applied by a sport physiotherapist.

In the lower limb, stressful weight bearing activities may need to be reduced on a temporary basis to allow the inflammation to lessen. The use of a cane in the opposite hand can assist a painful hip. Orthotics may be required to reduce the stress at the ankle or within the foot. An orthotic is placed between the foot and the shoe, to improve foot biomechanics and relieve pain or pressure.

The main symptoms of inflamed tendonitis and bursitis are redness, warmth and swelling. A potentially serious complication of tendonitis are frozen shoulder in shoulder joint and rupture of a tendon with the most common being a tear of the Achilles tendon in the lower calf, which may requires surgical intervention to repair.

Prevention

Warming up and cooling down (stretching) prior to exercise will help to prevent these problems from occurring. Therefore, activities should be begun slowly prior to expending maximum effort.

Sport physiotherapist treatments include stretching and strengthening exercises to address any areas of muscle imbalance. In addition, sport physiotherapist may apply friction and ultrasound to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.  At work or when exercising, proper posture and body mechanics are important to prevent further complications.

It is important to complete a daily range of motion exercise prescribed by your sport physiotherapist to preserve mobility, particularly in the shoulder joint, as a tendonitis or bursitis in the shoulder can cause frozen shoulder.  You can prevent frozen shoulder if the tendonitis or bursitis of shoulder joint, is addressed early on.

Some range of motion exercises for treatment of tendonitis, bursitis and frozen shoulder:
  • Lie down on your back, clasp the fingers together and use the non-painful arm to assist the painful arm above the head to the fullest extent.
  • Full shoulder movement will be bringing the upper arm up alongside the ear. Lower and repeat 5 times.
  • In standing, walk with the fingers of arms up the wall, in front of you, to the highest tolerated position and then stretch the shoulder fully by holding it in this stretched position for 20 seconds and then lowering. Repeat 5 times.
Seeking sport physiotherapist treatment early will result in progress of the injury and prevent joint stiffness, frozen shoulder and chronic pain. The pain of bursitis or tendonitis can be severe and, just because it is not arthritis, does not mean it is less important.

Advice
  • Rest the painful tendon from heavy activity and things that hurt.
  • Ice the area for 10 - 15 minutes three times a day.
  • Seek medical assistance GP, private doctor or sport physiotherapist.
  • Avoid repetitive motion and overuse of an extremity.
  • Warming up and cooling down (stretching) prior to exercise activity.
Tendonitis, bursitis
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