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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.

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.

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.

Tendonitis: alternative cures as healing helpers

March 6th, 2007    Subscribe To Our Feed

Tendonitis is painful, and while the RICE formula (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) is the primary tendonitis “cure”, you can find other treatments which will help.

Alternative Health Cures for Tendonitis

If you’re lucky enough to catch your tendonitis in its earliest stages, or at least before the point that your pain is unmanageable with home remedies and over the counter drugs, the ways in which you are able to cure your tendonitis will be greater than those of someone with a more severe case. If you prefer home remedies and natural solutions to treating injuries, there are many home or “alternative” remedies you can try to cure your tendonitis. By “alternative” I simply mean treatments that are easily available to you in your home with simple, natural components.

Home Therapies: RICE - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation

There are many therapies you can administer from your home that are quite effective to cure tendonitis. Ice packs are one of the most valuable ways you can alleviate the symptoms of tendonitis. To most successfully employ ice therapy, apply ice to your ankle for 15-30 minutes and repeat every few hours. Ice therapy is a great tendonitis cure because it helps to alleviate inflammation. If your tendon isn’t too terribly sore to the touch, another great home tendonitis cure is massage. Depending on the location of your tendonitis, you can administer some gentle massage to yourself. If your tendonitis is located in your shoulder, or another hard to reach location, try enlisting a trusted family member or close confidante. You can also find miniature battery operated massagers for a very reasonable price.

Tendonitis Supplements - Take vitamins

Another useful way to alternatively cure tendonitis is through the use of supplements. Vitamin C is well known for its ability to prevent and reduce inflammation, which is a direct result of tendonitis. If you don’t like taking supplements in pill or tablet forms, just increase your intake of plant foods high in Vitamin C. Good sources of Vitamin C include: strawberries, citrus fruit and bell peppers. Make a fruit salad to keep in your refrigerator to snack on throughout the day and you’ll be helping to cure your tendonitis!

Other useful supplements include:

calcium (1,500 mg a day)

magnesium (750 mg a day)

Vitamin A (15,000 IU a day)

Vitamin E (400 to 800 mg a day)

Bromelain (250 to 750 mg three times a day between meals)

Helpful herbs for tendonitis

Herbal teas can help with the pain and inflamation:

Curcumin (Curcuma longa)

Willow (Salix alba) bark tea - avoid if you’re allergic to aspirin

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - avoid if you have high blood pressure

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Rest until the inflammation disappears

While resting may not qualify as an “alternative” treatment for curing tendonitis, it is definitely the most crucial. Once you’ve diagnosed your pain as tendonitis allow yourself ample time to rest and stay off the injured area. Resting should accompany all other methods you see for your tendonitis cure. Ice, supplements, even massage will have a minimal effect on curing your tendonitis if you are not resting. Rest is the most natural of tendonitis cures.

Unfortunately, once you have tendonitis it can take a long time to heal. While RICE, vitamins and herbs aren’t a “cure“, they go a long way to making you feel better, and helping you to live a normal life.

Copyright © 2007 Fix Tendonitis

Credits: The Stretching Handbook | Matteo Turchetto | Andreas Viklund