Tendonitis

If you’re one of the 70,000 people in the United States who miss work because of tendonitis pain, you can find help at North Point Orthopaedics. The skilled orthopedic physicians specialize in the nonsurgical treatment of tendonitis inflammation and pain. They use medications, corticosteroid injections and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to treat your symptoms and improve your mobility. The providers also offer minimally invasive surgery to realign your tendons if other treatments don’t provide pain relief. Call the office in Munster or Crown Point, Indiana, today to schedule a tendonitis evaluation or book an appointment online. 

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis describes persistent inflammation in your tendons, the thick tissues that attach your bones to muscles.

The most common cause of tendonitis is overuse of your tendons during strenuous activities, manual labor jobs, or sports. When you overuse these soft tissues, it can trigger an inflammatory response in your body that leads to pain.

You may also be at increased risk for tendonitis as you get older. After age 40, your tendons become less flexible and are more susceptible to stress damage.

When should I seek treatment for tendonitis?

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at North Point Orthopaedics if you have tendonitis symptoms that you can’t treat with over-the-counter medications, rest, and ice or heat therapy.

Tendonitis can develop anywhere in your body and is most common in your shoulders, elbows, and knees. Symptoms of the condition can include:

• Pain
• Warmth
• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Redness

The orthopedic specialists can confirm that your symptoms relate to tendonitis and not another condition during a physical exam. They may also order X-rays or other diagnostic imaging tests to get a closer look at your tendons and bones.

How is tendonitis treated?

At the start of tendonitis symptoms, you may find relief of pain and swelling with rest and ice and heat therapy. You may also benefit from over-the-counter anti-inflammatories and elevating the affected area.

If you still have pain, North Point Orthopaedics offers corticosteroid injections to address persistent inflammation. You may also be a candidate for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, which uses substances from your own blood to heal damaged, inflamed tendons.

Your orthopedic specialists may also recommend physical therapy to strengthen your muscles and improve your mobility. Physical therapy can also teach you exercises that lower your risk for additional overuse injuries.

If you have severe tendonitis pain, you may need surgery to realign your tendons and remove bone spurs or inflamed tissue that are irritating your tendons. Your provider can discuss your options for surgery if nonsurgical therapies aren’t working for you.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for tendonitis symptoms, call the North Point Orthopaedics office nearest you today or book an appointment online.