Tendinitis is a medical condition which is described as inflammation or irritation of a tendon (thick fibrous cords which attaches muscle to bone). This condition causes pain and tenderness outside a joint. It can affect any tendon; however it is common around shoulders, heels, elbows, wrists, and knees.
Some of the common names of various tendinitis problems are:
- Pitcher′s shoulder
- Jumper′s knee
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer′s elbow
- Swimmer′s shoulder
Tendinitis can be caused by a sudden injury. However it generally develops due to the repetition of a particular movement. Many people develop tendinitis as a result of their jobs or hobbies that involve repetitive motions that put stress on the tendons required for the performance of tasks.
Following are the risk factors for tendinitis:
- Age: Tendons become less flexible with age that makes them more prone to injury.
- Occupations: People who have jobs that need repetitive motions, awkward positions, vibration or forceful exertion are more susceptible to tendinitis.
- Sports: Generally the people of following sports develop tendinitis:
Following are the signs and symptoms of tendinitis:
- Pain especially on moving the affected limb or joint
- Mild swelling
Tendinitis is generally diagnosed by physical examination only. If needed your doctor may ask for the X-rays or other imaging tests to check out other conditions that are causing signs and symptoms.
Following are the treatments for tendinitis:
Medications for Tendinitis
- Pain relievers: Taking aspirin or ibuprofen can relieve discomfort due to tendinitis.
- Topical creams with anti-inflammatory medication: They are for topical use therefore they relieve pain without causing the potential side effects.
- Corticosteroids: Corticosteroid medicine is injected around a tendon by the doctor to relieve tendinitis. Corticosteroids are not advised for chronic tendinitis as repeated injections can weaken a tendon.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): PRP treatment involves withdrawing the blood sample and spinning the blood to separate out the healing factors and platelets. Then the solution is then re-injected into the tendon area of chronic irritation.
Therapy for Tendinitis
Specific exercises to stretch and strengthen the affected muscle-tendon are effective in treating chronic tendon inflammation.
Surgical and Other Procedures for Tendinitis
Surgical repair may be required depending on the severity of tendon injury.
For chronic tendon inflammation, focused aspiration of scar tissue (FAST) for chronic tendon inflammation is a minimally invasive treatment done using ultrasound guidance and very tiny instruments designed to eliminate the tendon scar tissue.
Alternative Treatments for Tendinitis
- Ayurvedic medicines: Alpnia calcarata, Bilva, Bala, Eranda, Punarnava, Gokshura, Guggulu, Shallaki and Jeeraka are the commonly used drugs in the treatment of tendinitis.
- Kairali massage: Ksheerabala taila, Dhanvantara taila, Kottamchukkadi taila, and Nirgundi taila are the commonly used oils in the Kairali massage for tendinitis. Kairali massage provides temporary relief from pain.
- Homeopathic medicines: Arnica Montana, Rhus Toxicodendron and Ruta Graveolens are the common homeopathic remedies for tendinitis.
Dietary Supplements for Tendinitis
Dietary supplements include minerals, herbs, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids and many other products that have a significant role in the maintenance of health. They are accessible as pills, energy bars, drinks, capsules, and powders. For tendinitis GLME is the most recommended dietary supplement due to its many unique benefits.
- GLME (Green Lipped Mussel Extract): It is considered as the best dietary supplement for tendinitis which is extracted from the green lipped mussels. Green lipped mussel is a shell fish which is found in New Zealand.
What Is the Role of Glme (Green Lipped Mussel Extract) in the Treatment and Management of Tendinitis?
GLME (Green lipped mussel extract) has unique role in the treatment and management of tendinitis as below:
- It increases the joint mobility and repairs the tendons which are damaged.
- It protects the stomach lining from the severe reactions of pain killers used in the treatment of tendinitis.
- It controls the process of inflammation and reduces the swelling by undergoing several mechanisms.
- It helps other medicines to show their maximum efficacy.
Seatone is the best formulation of GLME (green lipped mussel extract) which is obtainable as capsules. Seatone is the best product of GLME because:
- It is extracted only from the premium quality of fresh mussels when they are at their peak condition.
- A number of tests are conducted to check the toxicity of Seatone. It is made available to you after a number of tests and trials.
Seatone is better than all the other treatments for tendinitis because:
- Seatone do not show any side effects as it is obtained from marine origin. While the other medicines as pain killers which are used during the the treatment of tendinitis show some side effects as gastric irritation. Seatone protects the stomach lining from reactions of these medicines by acting as gastro-protective.
- Surgeries for the treatment of tendinitis can cause Blood clot or infection while Seatone never show such unfavorable effects.
- Medicines used for tendinitis can provide you fast relief from pain and swelling which is temporary. On the other side Seatone provides slow but progressive relief.
Following activities will help you to cope up with tendinitis:
- Rest: Avoid doing the activities that elevate the pain or swelling. Rest is vital for tissue healing. However, it does not mean complete bed rest.
- Ice: To decrease pain, swelling and muscle spasm apply ice to the injured area several times a day for up to 20 minutes each time.
- Compression: Compress the area until swelling is controlled because swelling can cause loss of motion in an injured joint. Wraps or compressive elastic bandages can be used for this purpose.
- Elevation: If tendinitis affects knee, elevate the affected leg above the level of heart so as to reduce swelling.
To deduce the risk of developing tendinitis, follow the below mentioned suggestions:
- Ease up: You should avoid those activities which exert excessive stress on tendons, especially for prolonged time.
- Mix it up exercises: If one activity or exercise causes persistent pain then try something else. Cross-training can be helpful.
- Improve your technique: Getting professional instructions before using exercise equipment or starting a new sport can help you to avoid any flawed technique.
- Stretch: Stretching after exercise can help you to reduce repetitive trauma on tissues. The best time for stretching is after exercise.
- Prepare your muscles to play: Strengthening muscles used in your activity or sport can help them better withstand stress and load.
Symptoms of tendinitis gets improve with treatment and rest. If the overuse causes the injury then a change in work habits is required to prevent the reoccurrence of problem.
Disclaimer : All information on this website is only for general educational purpose and it cannot substitute the consultation with a doctor. It is highly suggested that you seek advice from doctor to determine your requirements. Women who are in their gestation or lactation period and children should not take any supplement without the consultation of their doctor.