Tendinitis

Diagnosis

In most cases, tendinitis can be diagnosed through a physical examination without the need for further tests. However, medical professionals may use imaging tests like X-rays to eliminate the possibility of other underlying conditions that could be causing the symptoms.

Treatment

The initial treatment approach involves:

• Avoiding any activities that may worsen the condition.
• Allowing the injured area to rest.
• Applying ice to the affected area on the day of the injury.
• Using non-prescription anti-inflammatory medications.

If there is no improvement in the condition after approximately three weeks, it is recommended to seek medical attention from a doctor. In such cases, you may require more advanced treatment options, such as:

Medications

Among the medications used to treat tendinitis are:

• Pain relievers. Pain from tendinitis may be alleviated by aspirin, naproxen sodium, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Several of these medications may upset your stomach or result in renal or liver issues. Painkiller creams can be administered directly to the skin. These items can aid in pain relief while preventing the negative effects of ingesting these medications.
• Steroids. Injections of steroids around a tendon could potentially alleviate tendinitis pain. However, it’s not advisable to administer these shots for tendinitis that persists for over three months. Using steroid shots frequently could potentially weaken the tendon and raise the possibility of it tearing.
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). During this procedure, a sample of your own blood is drawn, and the platelets and other healing components are separated out by spinning the blood. It’s a good idea to get a second opinion if you have any questions. Platelet-rich plasma has showed promise in the treatment of numerous chronic tendon disorders, while research is currently being done to determine the optimal technique to use this substance.

Physical therapy

The muscle and tendon can be strengthened using physical therapy activities. Many chronic tendon disorders can be effectively treated with eccentric strengthening, which emphasizes muscle contraction while the muscle is stretching.

Surgery and other procedures

Your doctor might advise the following if physical therapy has not been successful in treating your symptoms:

• Dry needling. Typically, this technique utilizes ultrasound guidance to create tiny punctures in the tendon using a fine needle, with the aim of triggering the activation of factors essential for tendon repair and regeneration.
• Surgery. Surgical repair may be required depending on the degree of your tendon injury, particularly if the tendon has torn away from the bone.