Tendonitis Specialist

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis is a condition in which a tendon, which is a thick cord of tissue that attaches muscle to bone, becomes inflamed or irritated. The condition can develop anywhere in the body but is commonly diagnosed in the elbows, shoulders, hips, and knees. Tendonitis often is caused by repetitive motions that, over time, puts stress on the tendon. For example, tennis elbow is a form of tendonitis. Other activities that may lead to tendonitis include golf, skiing, throwing or pitching a ball, painting, shoveling, gardening, and house cleaning. Tendonitis also may develop after an injury.

What are some of the risk factors for developing tendonitis?

Some of the risk factors associated with tendonitis include:

• Abnormal or misaligned bones and joints
• Other health conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and thyroid disorders
• Sudden bouts of excessive activity. For example, people who sit at a desk all week and then decide to participate in a 10k race on the weekend with no training.

What are symptoms of tendonitis?

Tendonitis hurts. Most patients experience some degree of pain, although some may notice the pain develops slowly, building up over time, while others experience a sudden and severe pain. Another common symptom of tendonitis is a loss of mobility. Often, this occurs when tendonitis develops in the shoulder, causing adhesive capsulitis, which is more commonly known as frozen shoulder.

How can Dr. Key help with tendonitis?

Dr. Key first confirms you are experiencing tendonitis with a comprehensive exam. If your pain and mobility issues are caused by tendonitis, the first step is to reduce the inflammation and swelling, which should help address the pain. Dr. Key may suggest therapies including ice, immobilization, or electrical muscle stimulation to ease the affected tendon. Once the tendon and muscles relax enough, Dr. Key may use chiropractic adjustments to correct any abnormalities that are contributing to the extra stress on the bones and tendons affected by tendonitis. Often, gentle stretching is used during sessions and prescribed as ‘homework’ to help keep muscles and tendons strong, supple, and resistant to injury.

If you are suffering from tendonitis, or pain or mobility issues, make an appointment with Dr. Key at Key Chiropractic. Conditions like tendonitis only get worse over time if left untreated and there is no reason to live with pain.