Tendonitis Specialist
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Thomas F. Saylor, M.D.
Board Certified Hand and Upper Extremity Orthopedic Surgeon & Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon located in North Palm Beach, FL
Inflammation in the tendons that connect muscle to bone is a painful condition called tendonitis, and it can affect anyone. For those living in and around North Palm Beach, Florida, the care of Thomas F. Saylor, MD, of Orthopaedic Care Specialists is a valuable resource in treating tendonitis and other joint conditions. Scheduling an appointment takes just moments online or over the phone, so don’t delay.
Tendonitis Q & A
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis is a condition in which the tough connective tissue that binds muscles to bones becomes irritated or inflamed. Your tendons are tough, fibrous tissue, and they can accommodate a bit of stretching, but tendons that are overtaxed can swell and create significant discomfort.
This condition is more common in adults over the age of 40, but it can happen to anyone, even children. The most common sites of tendonitis are your shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, shoulder, Achilles tendon, and wrist, but the condition can develop anywhere that muscle attaches to bone.
What causes tendonitis?
Tendonitis can happen when you sustain a sudden traumatic or sports injury, but the condition is more often caused by chronic, repetitive tendon stress and injury. Even simple routine tasks can lead to tendonitis.
Some of the common causes of tendonitis include:
- Gardening
- Scrubbing
- Painting
- Raking
- Tennis
- Throwing
- Sports or fitness activities
One of the best ways to prevent tendonitis is to engage in routine exercise and stretching to keep your body in good condition. You can also reduce your risk by not engaging in activities that are beyond your level of fitness or athleticism. There is a fine line between pushing your boundaries in a healthy way and overextending your body.
What are some signs and symptoms of tendonitis?
Tendonitis usually presents a dull, aching pain in the affected joint or limb. You might notice the discomfort increasing when you move this area of your body. Pain can occur suddenly and be severe, or it can feel more like a nagging soreness that comes and goes.
Lingering tenderness is also a sign of tendonitis. Swelling in or around the affected joint is common and can be steady or intermittent. If you notice recurring joint issues that don’t seem to improve over time, you may have tendonitis.
What are some treatment options for tendonitis?
Some cases of tendonitis respond well to a period of physical therapy. This approach allows the inflamed tendon to rest while you strengthen the muscle groups that support the area. Not only can physical therapy resolve tendonitis pain, it can also help prevent future incidents of tendonitis. Low dose steroid injections and splinting are sometimes used with excellent pain relief.
Platelet-rich plasma injections are another great way to treat tendonitis, especially in the wrist, elbow, and shoulder. Dr. Saylor draws a small volume of your blood and spins it in a centrifuge, which isolates the platelets from the liquid plasma. Those elements are recombined to create a powerful healing solution that boosts your natural healing abilities and reduces inflammation.
In some cases, the only way to restore proper muscle and bone connection is through surgical repair or debridement. Dr. Saylor uses arthroscopic techniques to repair damaged tendon and muscle tissue without large incisions and the risks and recovery time that come with traditional open surgery.
Learn more about how to resolve tendonitis pain during a one-on-one consultation, which you can book online or by phone today.
