Tendinitis Case Study
Tendonitis
1. Explain what the disease/disorder/injury is in detail
- Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. A tendon is the thick, cord-like tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.
2. How is it diagnosed?
- If you have the symptoms of tendinitis, your doctor may order X-rays and bone scans to rule out bone damage. MRI scans can help determine the severity of damage to a tendon but are usually unnecessary for newly diagnosed cases of tendinitis. Your doctor can also assess whether you have similar problems such as bursitis (inflammation of the fluid "cushion" surrounding the joints), carpal tunnel syndrome (an entrapped nerve in the hands), or phlebitis (inflamed veins).
3. What are the signs and symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of tendinitis
occur at the point where a tendon attaches to a bone and typically include:
• Pain, often described as a dull ache, especially when moving the affected limb or joint
• Tenderness
• Mild swelling, possibly
4. What are the Treatments
- The goals of treatment for tendinitis are to restore movement to the joint without pain and to maintain strength in surrounding muscles while giving the tissues time to heal. Adequate rest is crucial. Returning too soon to the activity that caused the injury can lead to chronic tendinitis or torn tendons.
- As an immediate treatment for tendinitis, doctors and physical therapists recommend the RICE program: rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injured tendon. They may also suggest aspirin or ibuprofen to help inflammation and pain. Ultrasound and whirlpool treatments are employed to relax muscles and tendons, improve circulation, and promote healing. Occasionally, your doctor may discuss injecting corticosteroids (a stronger anti-inflammatory drug) around the tendon.
- A physical therapist can propose an exercise plan that rests the tendon while strengthening nearby muscle groups and maintaining overall muscle tone. Only gradually will you begin to exercise the tendon itself. Your program may also include "eccentric" exercises, in which you gradually strengthen the muscle while stretching, stopping at the first sign of pain. You may also work into easy stretching exercises, done several times a day.
- Surgery may be necessary to release or repair the involved tendon in chronic cases that don't respond to other interventions.
1. Explain what the disease/disorder/injury is in detail
- Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon. A tendon is the thick, cord-like tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.
2. How is it diagnosed?
- If you have the symptoms of tendinitis, your doctor may order X-rays and bone scans to rule out bone damage. MRI scans can help determine the severity of damage to a tendon but are usually unnecessary for newly diagnosed cases of tendinitis. Your doctor can also assess whether you have similar problems such as bursitis (inflammation of the fluid "cushion" surrounding the joints), carpal tunnel syndrome (an entrapped nerve in the hands), or phlebitis (inflamed veins).
3. What are the signs and symptoms
- Signs and symptoms of tendinitis
occur at the point where a tendon attaches to a bone and typically include:
• Pain, often described as a dull ache, especially when moving the affected limb or joint
• Tenderness
• Mild swelling, possibly
4. What are the Treatments
- The goals of treatment for tendinitis are to restore movement to the joint without pain and to maintain strength in surrounding muscles while giving the tissues time to heal. Adequate rest is crucial. Returning too soon to the activity that caused the injury can lead to chronic tendinitis or torn tendons.
- As an immediate treatment for tendinitis, doctors and physical therapists recommend the RICE program: rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the injured tendon. They may also suggest aspirin or ibuprofen to help inflammation and pain. Ultrasound and whirlpool treatments are employed to relax muscles and tendons, improve circulation, and promote healing. Occasionally, your doctor may discuss injecting corticosteroids (a stronger anti-inflammatory drug) around the tendon.
- A physical therapist can propose an exercise plan that rests the tendon while strengthening nearby muscle groups and maintaining overall muscle tone. Only gradually will you begin to exercise the tendon itself. Your program may also include "eccentric" exercises, in which you gradually strengthen the muscle while stretching, stopping at the first sign of pain. You may also work into easy stretching exercises, done several times a day.
- Surgery may be necessary to release or repair the involved tendon in chronic cases that don't respond to other interventions.