Managing Forearm Tendonitis
May 24th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Forearm tendonitis, the swelling of the tendons anywhere from the wrist to the elbow, is not only painful, but can also inhibit patients from performing routine, everyday activities.
Although general strain and age can increase the risk of developing forearm tendonitis, healthy athletes and young people are not immune from this condition, even though most people affected over 40 years of age. Forearm tendonitis is quite common among weight-lifters, due to the repetitive, constant stress and pressure placed on the forearm.
The regular use of heavy weights can cause muscles and tendons in the forearm to tear, resulting in significant pain. Those engaged in strenuous manual labor, involving regular lifting and repetitive movement of the arm are also at a higher risk of developing forearm tendonitis.
What are the Symptoms of Forearm Tendonitis?
An aching pain is the most common symptom of forearm tendonitis, although this is usually accompanied by redness and a burning sensation in the arm. Significant soreness is also often accompanied by stiffness and a decrease in the mobility of the arm. Some sufferers report pain both during and immediately after physical activity, as well as pain in the morning and during the night, when the arm is usually resting. In some cases, the forearm will also feel unusually warm when touched, and some people have described hearing grinding sounds when rotating or moving their wrist and forearm.
R.I.C.E. - first treatment
The acronym R.I.C.E. refers to the most common form of treatment used by people who suffer from forearm tendonitis. R.I.C.E. is a non-invasive, natural form of treatment and includes a period of rest, during which time one avoids lifting heavy items or straining the muscles in any way. As with other forms of tendonitis, the application of ice can be very useful in alleviating the swelling and pain. It is, however, recommended to apply ice for a period not exceeding 20 minutes and to have the ice cubes wrapped in a towel in order to minimize the risk of frostbite. Some people prefer to use a bag of frozen pees instead of ice. The application of light pressure to the entire forearm has also proven helpful, as well as keeping the arm in a slightly elevated position.
In most cases, home remedies have proved very successful in treating forearm tendonitis. Nevertheless, if the symptoms persist for more than two weeks, it is wise to consult a doctor who may recommend cortisone injections or anti-inflammatory drugs. Only in very rare cases will a health care worker recommend surgery.
[tags]forearm tendonitis, tendonitis, RICE[/tags]
Hamstring Tendonitis
May 23rd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Hamstring Tendonitis involves an aching pain in one or both legs, in the area immediately above the knee, and often on the back of the upper legs.
This form of tendonitis, the inflammation of the tendons that connect the body’s muscles to the bone, is most often present in runners and athletes who participate in track and field sports. Hamstring tendonitis is sometimes mistaken for simple soreness of muscles after a strenuous workout, or a marathon.
As with other forms of tendonitis, the most common symptoms of this condition include soreness, pain and a decrease in mobility. Hamstring tendonitis may also cause noticeable swelling in the area around the knee cap. Some patients have observed that the pain is worse at night and that it also increases during physical activity.
When do People Develop This Condition?
Although age is an important factor and anyone can develop hamstring tendonitis, the people most susceptible to this condition are those who have recently started a vigorous, new exercise routine after an extended period of relative inactivity. Additionally, athletes, especially runners, who regularly train on hard surfaces, are more likely to develop hamstring tendonitis. This is why it is better to run, or jog on specially developed tracks, rather than on concrete roads or pavement.
What are the Treatment Options for Hamstring Tendonitis?
The best treatment for hamstring tendonitis involves natural, non-invasive solutions. Like with most sport injuries, it is helpful to apply ice to the affected area in order to reduce both the swelling and pain. If the pain persists, it is best to use non-prescription medications, such as Motrin, Tylenol or Advil. The most important, however, is not to engage in strenuous physical activity or work-outs until the symptoms of hamstring tendonitis subside. Additionally, the patient’s return to physical activity should occur gradually, over an extended period of time, in order not to irritate the affected tendons.
There are also a number of precautions one can take in order to avoid future episodes of tendonitis. It is important to always warm up and to stretch the muscles prior to physical activities, such as running and also to allow for a cooling off period immediately following any type of exercise. Avoiding running or jogging on rigid surfaces will also help runners avoid extra, unnecessary strain on muscles in the legs. Additionally, athletes should always avoid strenuous physical activity when their muscles still feel sore from previous work-outs.
[tags]tendonitis, hamstring tendonitis, knees, legs[/tags]
Tendonitis Exercise - recovering from tendonitis
May 23rd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
After the pain and inflammation of an attack of tendonitis, your first aim will be to make sure that tendonitis doesn’t recur - you do with this with tendonitis exercise. Your doctor or physiotherapist can give you a routine to follow which only takes a few minutes a day. Yoga stretches are also great to ensure that tendonitis doesn’t recur.
Why tendonitis exercise is important
People who have this condition need to carefully work out an exercise program which will help to maintain tendon flexibility. Failure to adhere to the proper program can result in increased tendon damage and increased pain.
Tendonitis exercise can be very useful to those who want to gradually build tendon and muscle strength. It is usually best to consult a doctor or physical therapist that is trained in proper technique. It may be recommended that you give the tendon a resting period of up to two weeks before beginning any type of exercise.
This will allow the tendon time to “cool down” before starting reuse. Tendonitis exercise will consist of stretching and strengthening over a period of them, usually at a much slower rate than regular exercise. You can take two to three minutes out of each hour to stretch tight muscles. This allows the muscle time to cool down before the next session. It also increases flexibility and gently reduces muscle tension. Continued repetition of proper stretching techniques can lead to faster tendon recovery and get you back up and going quicker.
Tendonitis Exercise – What Not to Do
Proper tendonitis exercise technique is extremely important in maintaining good muscle and tendon flexibility. You must be careful with repetitive action. Repetitive action on a daily basis could very well make your condition worse instead of better. Taking at least one day in between serious work-out sessions will give the muscles and tendons time to relax. If part of your work-out involves lifting weights, make sure the weight only provides a minimal resistance. Constant use of heavy weight lifting can be damaging. Try not to work out in a cold climate. Cold muscles and tendons tend to be stiff and trying to force them into working could cause extreme pain. If it is possible, limit your work-out to the gym or indoors when the weather is cold.
The Road to Recovery
Tendonitis can often be a painful condition that will take time to heal. It is important that you not try to rush since this can cause additional pain or damage. Taking the time to properly do the stretching before any exercise will help loosen the tendons and muscles; thus reducing the chances of further damage. Consult a qualified therapist and ask them to help you set up a tendonitis exercise program using the proper technique. Continued use of a qualified program can provide you with tendons and muscles that are healthy and will reduce your chances of damage and pain.
Most people who have recurring tendonitis keep the injury away by focusing on a few daily exercises, and you can too.
[tags]tendonitis, tendonitis exercise, therapy, rest, muscle, tendon[/tags]
Tendonitis Surgery - should you consider it?
May 21st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Before seeking tendonitis surgery, make sure you have tried the other possibilities for treatment.
First, you should have tried immobilizing the area to give it a chance to heal. This involves wearing a brace or a cast for around six weeks. During this time, you should take an anti inflammatory drug prescribed by your physician, and frequently ice the area to help eliminate the swelling. If those measures are not enough to calm the pain of tendonitis, many doctors will inject the area with cortisone. This helps the tendons to heal, but should only be done a limited number of times to the same tendon, as over time cortisone injections can weaken the tendons.
Tendonitis surgery is considered a last resort for the treatment of tendonitis. Make sure that you truly need it before rushing into it.
When should you consider surgery?
There are some conditions that make tendonitis surgery necessary in order for the tendon to heal completely. One of these is a bone spur. If you have a bone spur, it can rub against the tendon and lead to irritation and inflammation. No amount of immobilization and therapy can take care of this problem. Surgery is needed to remove the bone spur, which will allow the tendon to heal.
Another condition that makes surgery necessary in the treatment of tendonitis is a calcium deposit on the tendon. This, like a bone spur, will create inflammation and pain in the tendon. The calcium deposit must be removed for treatment to be successful. Finally, damage to the tendon that must be repaired surgically is the last reason that tendonitis surgery would be absolutely necessary. These problems include ruptures and tears of the tendon. These must be repaired by surgery.
Various Kinds of Tendonitis Surgery
There are two main types of tendonitis surgeries: arthroscopic surgery, and open surgery. Arthroscopic surgery is perhaps the most common way to treat persistent tendonitis problems. This type of surgery involves making a tiny incision and using small instruments to repair tears in the tendon. For completely torn tendons and open surgery will be necessary.
[tags]tendonitis, surgery, bone spur, calcium deposit, repairs, ruptures, arthroscopic, open surgery[/tags]
Posterior Tibial Tendonitis - causes and treatment
May 20th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
If the doctor’s told you that you have posterior tibial tendonitis this means that you have an inflammation of the tibial tendon located on the rear portion of the lower leg.
The tibia is one of two bones of the lower leg. A tendon connects bone with muscle: it’s a dense fibrous elastic cord like a heavy duty rubber band.
You get posterior tibial tendonitis by a number of means. Generally, these events consist of activities that are performed to excess, performed improperly or may be due to some type of trauma that is experienced by the lower extremity. Examples of these types of activities include running, dancing, or some other type of extreme activity that required the use of the legs. Arthritis can be one of the medical conditions or types of trauma that can induce posterior tibial tendonitis.
In addition, another major cause of posterior tibial tendonitis can be experienced through the simple act of walking. However, a style of walking that is performed improperly. This improper style of walking is seen as the individual walks on the innermost portion of their foot. This unnatural style of walking forces the muscles to compensate which leads to excessive strain. This series of events may precipitate posterior tibial tendonitis.
What’s it feel like?
There are several uncomfortable symptoms associated with the condition known as posterior tibial tendonitis. Some of these symptoms include pain and edema in proximity to the arch of the foot as well as on the inner side of the ankle. This pain increases in severity when the sufferer rises up on to the ball of the foot or if the foot is extended upwards.
In addition, pain is experienced when there is an increase in physical activity as well as a feeling of extreme tiredness in the foot following very minimal activity. Eventually, if left untreated, the pain experienced worsens and eventually limits the individual’s ability to function normally.
Ultimately, as the condition worsens, the individual will experience a loss of the foot’s arch. This condition will culminate in the afflicted individual being unable to exert pressure which can be demonstrated when that individual tries to push off with their foot.
Treatment For Posterior Tibial Tendonitis
Treatment for posterior tibial tendonitis begins with rest. This rest can be obtained by minimizing the activity of the afflicted individual as well as immobilizing the leg. This immobilization can be accomplished through the use of a brace or a cast.
Also, the use of cortisone may be indicated. Cortisone is a steroid and is used as an anti-inflammatory medication. If cortisone is prescribed the medication is injected directly into the tendon casing.
In addition, physical therapy may be indicated along with the performance of specific exercises. Those specific exercises suggested will strengthen the muscle that the posterior tibial tendon is connected to.
If you keep in mind RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) you have the basic treatment for posterior tibial tendonitis in a nutshell.
[tags]tendonitis, posterior tibial tendonitis, leg, tibia, RICE[/tags]
Wrist Tendonitis: Coping With The Injury And Preventing A Recurrence
May 20th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
A few years ago, when I was attending a marketing class, I had to stop writing, because my arm hurt too much - it felt just like a throbbing toothache. By the next day, my entire forearm was red and swollen. I went to a doctor, then a physiotherapist, and learned I had wrist tendonitis, which is also known as tenosynovitis.
Wrist tendonitis is a common form of RSI (repetitive strain injury), and it’s very prevalent and painful among people who use computers, as well as athletes, and anyone who performs the same tasks every day. Tendons join your muscles to your bones, and there are many tendons in your wrists.
Tendonitis occurs when the tendons become inflamed, and with wrist tendonitis usually only one tendon is inflamed, however two or more may be involved.
What To Do If You Have Wrist Tendonitis
As a first step, go and see your doctor for a definite diagnosis. Your doctor may send you for physiotherapy, or he may give you some exercises to do. He will recommend that you rest your injury, and this is vital.
However, it’s impossible to rest your wrists completely. You need your hands and arms for everything you do. So if the pain’s very bad, use a wrist splint for a few days, until the inflammation subsides. Wrist splints are widely available. The splint supports your wrist while the tendon recovers.
I’ve found that icing is very effective. Whenever I get a recurrence, I ice my wrist by wrapping an ice bag around my wrist and forearm for a few minutes every hour or so. This definitely helps, and the swelling goes down sooner than it does without treatment.
Once the swelling and pain are gone - this usually takes a few days - start exercising your shoulders, arms and wrists.
Wrist Exercises - Try Hand Weights And Yoga
You should use the exercises your therapist has given you, because everyone’s different. However, I’ve found that weight lifting with small hand weights works for me. I use the hand weights every day. I also do some yoga stretches every day. I’m convinced that this combination keeps my tendonitis at bay.
Staying Pain Free With Wrist Tendonitis
Most wrist tendonitis injuries are completely treatable with rest and exercise. I know that as long as I remember to do my stretching and weight lifting exercises, wrist tendonitis stays away. If I’m foolish enough to forget to do my exercises, it returns.
So if you’re currently suffering wrist tendonitis, try the RICE treatment (rest, ice, compression, elevation), then be sure to do your exercises every day, and you never need to have a recurrence.
[tags]tendonitis,wrist tendonitis,heal,tendon,write,arm,hands,inflammation,pain relief,rest,RICE,fingers[/tags]
