Tendonitis & Bursitis 3D

Tendonitis

The tendon is fibrous connective tissue at the end of the muscle that attaches the muscle to the bone. The muscle tapers off at the end to form the denser and stiffer tendon. These are normally very flexible and soft. While this density makes the tendon stronger, the lack of flexibility of the tendon and the pulling on the attachment to the bone with movement makes it much more susceptible to small a amount of microscopic tears. This tearing will result in the inflammation and irritation known as tendonitis. Tendonitis may appear after excessive repetitive movement creating tears in the fibres of the tendon.

Common Areas of Tendon inflammation

The shoulder (Rotator Cuff), biceps, elbow (Tennis Elbow), wrist, (tenosynovitis), hip, leg, knee (Patella) and ankle (Achilles Tendonitis). These are the most common tendon areas that become inflamed. (For more information about any of the above areas of the body,

Tendonitis

Tendon problems what are they?

Two main problems associated with tendons include Tendonitis and Tenosynovitis. Tendonitis is an inflammation of a tendon -the tough cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. This inflammation can affect any tendon, but is most commonly seen in the wrist and fingers. As the tendons become irritated, pain and swelling will occur.

Tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tendon sheaths which enclose the tendons. Sometimes both the sheath and the tendon may become inflamed. The cause of Tenosynovitis is usually strain, excessive use, or injury. Tendonitis may also be related to diseases such as Rheumatoid Arthritis or Diabetes can be implicated in this condition.

Common tendon disorders include:

Lateral Epicondylitis.  Also known as Tennis Elbow)
This condition is characterised by pain in the back of the elbow and forearm, and along the thumb side of the forearm when the arm is alongside the body when the thumb is turned out. The cause of pain is the damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backwards away from the palm (wrist extensors).

Medial Epicondylitis.  Also known as Golfer’s Elbow.
This is a condition characterised by pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm the pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm (wrist flexors).

DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis.
This is far the most common type of Tenosynovitis disorder, when the sheath of the tendons of the thumb gets swollen.

Trigger Finger.
A Tenosynovitis condition in which the tendon sheath of one of the finger flexors becomes inflamed and thickens, preventing the smooth extension or flexion of the finger. The finger may lock or suddenly hence the name “Trigger Finger”.

Tendonitis Symptoms

Symptoms will vary from a dull ache and stiffness in the area of the tendon, to a burning sensation surrounding the whole joint. This condition will become worse after exercising, leading to a stiffing of the joint and tendon. This usually follows on into the next day when the pain is usually at its worse.

Tendonitis Treatment

Cervical disc degeneration usually occurs in people aged 40 and older. Discs between the vertebrae of the spine act as shock absorbers between the bones. During cervical disc degeneration the normal gelatine like centre of the disc dries out and the gap between the vertebrae narrows. As the disk space narrows, added stress is imposed onto the joints of the spine exacerbating further wear and degenerative changes. The cervical disk then protrudes due to the weakening of its rim, putting pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots

Diagnosis

During physical examination, the Chiropractor will assess and examine the shoulder area for the range of motion. The Chiropractor will be looking for any tenderness and signs of instability.

The Chiropractor may want to use X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning to look inside the joint for other conditions or tendon injuries that might cause the pain.

Treatment

Nonsurgical Treatment

The best treatment is to rest the arm and shoulder area. This simply means stopping all activities that aggravate the pain.
Ice applications and non-steroidal anti inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, often help reduce inflammation.
Your Chiropractor may recommend stretching and progressive strengthening exercises to build muscle and restore range of motion.
Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy is fast and extremely effective in treating this condition. A five star rating has been given to Cold or Low level laser therapy

Surgical Treatment
Arthroscopic surgery may be required if pain results from shoulder instability or from pressure on the tendon from the shoulder bones. Arthroscopy uses fibre optic technology and small instruments to examine the shoulder joint and anchor the tendon to the bone properly

Achilles Tendonitis

The Achilles tendon is found in the back of the ankle, and is in fact the largest tendon in the human body. The purpose of the tendon is to lift the heel. Achilles tendonitis is the inflammation of this tendon which causes the associated discomfort and pain. Many athletes can suffer from Achilles tendonitis: runners, basketball players, footballers, all athletes and team players can suffer from this condition.

What causes Achilles tendonitis?

As with any form of tendonitis, the inflammation is usually brought on by overuse of the tendon in question. In the case of Achilles tendonitis, the repetition of such activities as jumping, can cause the tendon to be pulled slightly out of place, which causes pain and inflammation. The Achilles tendon can not only become inflamed, but in severe injuries can partially or fully tear, which can be extremely painful.

What are the symptoms of Achilles tendonitis?

Pain at the back of the heel/ankle

• Redness
• Swelling
• Restricted movement
• In the event of a tear of the tendon, the pain may be sudden and severe

How is Achilles tendonitis treated?

As with many sports injuries, the application of ice packs several times a day to the affected area can reduce discomfort and assist with healing. It is extremely important to reduce physical activity to an absolute minimum in order to allow the injury to heal quickly. Those who suffer from the injury can take anti-inflammatory medication to relieve discomfort and reduce swelling. Cold Laser Therapy is by far the best option for this condition, accelerating the healing process and reducing inflammation and pain,

(View our  Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy section, a five star rating has been given to Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy for healing and pain relief of Tendonitis, Bursitis and Plantar Fasciitis).

Bursitis.

There are over 160 Bursae in your body. These fluid filled sacs located between the muscle tendon and the bone, lubricate and cushion, helping to decrease the pressure between your bones, tendons, and muscles around your joints. They help your joints move with ease and with little or no friction. Bursitis occurs when a Bursa becomes inflamed. When inflammation occurs, movement or pressure can become painful.

Repetitive stress, overuse or a blow to your body’s joints, may lead you to eventually develop Bursitis: which can affect the joints in your shoulders, elbows hips knees, heels and feet. Pain from Bursitis usually goes away within a few weeks with proper treatment.

Signs and Symptoms.

If you have Bursitis, you may notice:

• Stiffness accompanied by a dull ache in the area around the affected joint.
• Worsening of pain with movement or increase of pressure in the affected area.
• The area will feel and look swollen or warm to touch.
• There may be skin redness in the area of the inflamed Bursa.

Causes

Common causes of Bursitis are stress, overuse, and direct trauma to a joint. Bursitis may also result from an infection, such as arthritis or gout. Bursitis in certain locations of your body is caused by repetitive motion related to certain activities: carpet fitters suffer from a condition called “housemaid’s knee”.

Shoulder Bursitis often results from injury to the rotator cuff, i.e. the muscles and tendons that connect your upper arm bone to your shoulder blade. The causes of the injury may vary. It is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the pain caused by bursitis and that caused by a rotator cuff injury.

Elbow.

This type of Bursitis is associated with actions requiring you to repeatedly bend and extend your elbow. You may get such an inflammation by using a hammer or tennis racket.  These are just two examples of repeated physical activity that may lead to Bursitis or Tendinitis of the elbow or shoulder. Leaning on your elbows on a regular basis, may also lead to development of Bursitis at the tip of your elbow.

Buttocks (Ischial) Bursitis describes an inflamed Bursa over the bone in your buttocks. It may result from sitting on a hard surface for long periods.

Hip Bursitis is associated with arthritis or a hip injury. The pressure from standing or sitting for long periods of time also may also lead to Bursitis of the hip.

Bursitis of the hip does not cause any visible swelling or redness of the skin because the Bursae are located beneath some of your body’s larger muscles. In this type of Bursitis pain is over the Greater Trochanter, a portion of your thighbone (Femur) that protrudes out just below where the bone joins the hip.

Knee Bursitis is a soft small bump that occurs on the front of your knee, and may be the result of repetitive kneeling or other activities that place pressure on your knees. A blow to the kneecap can cause inflammation of the Bursae around the kneecap. People who suffer with arthritis often develop and suffer from Bursitis of the knee.

Ankle Bursitis is an inflammation of the ankle which commonly occurs as a result of ill fitted or improper footwear.

Often there is difficulty in recalling a specific incident or activity that leads to Bursitis.  The inflammation may even stem from a staphylococcal infection.

Treatment

Bursitis treatment is usually simple and includes:

• Resting and immobilizing the affected area
• Applying ice to reduce swelling 8 times daily for 15 minutes per session.
• Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy (View Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy Section ).
• To care for your Bursitis at home here are some Tips.
• Anti-inflammatory medication can provide relief.
• Perform stretching exercises.  Stretching can help restore full range of motion.
• Elevate the affected joint. Raising your knee or elbow can help reduce swelling.
• Keep pressure off your joint. If possible, use an elastic bandage, sling or soft foam pad to protect a joint until the swelling goes down.

(View our Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy section, a five star rating has been given to Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy for healing and pain relief of Tendonitis/Bursitis Plantar Fasciitis).

Cold/Low Level laser Therapy/Treatment

The lasers used at Central Chiropractic Clinic are certified as Cold Laser.  For the past 30 years the technology of Cold Laser Therapy (also known as Low Level Laser Therapy) has been formally accepted in North America and in many other parts of the world such as Europe, Russia and Japan.  In all this time there have been no recorded long-term adverse effects from low level laser therapy.  It is considered to be non-invasive, painless and safe.

Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy uses laser light energy to stimulate cells to function optimally.  In the body, light sensitive chromophores and other elements within the cell absorb energy, initiating a series of important photochemical changes such as increased production of ATP. The mitochondria and Kreb’s Cycle stimulation initiates the production of ATP, providing the cell with the extra energy needed to accelerate the healing process and positively influence pain.  These activities can occur in all types of cells and include ligaments, nerves, cartilage and muscles.

Cold or Low Level  Laser Therapy (LLLT) is a Handheld, non-invasive, light-emitting medical device which is used over different areas of the body. It provides an unmatched advantage in the treatment of conditions such as; Tendonitis and Bursitis

(View our  Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy section, a five star rating has been given to Cold or Low Level Laser Therapy for healing and pain relief of Tendonitis ,Bursitis.

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