Understanding Tendinosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

Tendinosis, also known as tendinopathy, is a condition that occurs when a tendon, which is a thick cord that connects bone to muscle, becomes inflamed or irritated. This condition can cause pain and discomfort in the affected area, making it difficult to perform daily activities or engage in physical exercise.

Causes of Tendinosis

Tendinosis is most often caused by repetitive, minor impact on the affected area or a sudden, more serious injury. Many activities can lead to the development of tendinosis, including:

• Gardening

• Raking

• Carpentry

• Cleaning house

• Shoveling

• Painting

• Scrubbing

• Playing sports like tennis, golf, skiing, or throwing and pitching

Other risk factors for tendinosis include incorrect posture at work or home, poor conditioning before exercise or playing sports, abnormal or poorly placed bones or joints, and stresses from other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, or thyroid disorders.

Symptoms of Tendinosis

The primary symptom of tendinosis is pain at the site of the tendon and the surrounding area. The pain may gradually build up or be sudden and severe, especially if calcium deposits are present. In some cases, such as with shoulder tendinosis, you may experience a loss of motion, known as adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder.

Common Locations of Tendinosis

Tendinosis can occur in almost any area of the body where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle. The most common places include:

• Base of the thumb

• Elbow

• Shoulder

• Hip

• Knee

• Achilles tendon

Treating Tendinosis

Initial treatment for tendinosis includes resting the injured area, avoiding activities that aggravate the problem, icing the area on the day of the injury, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs or using topical anti-inflammatory gels. If the condition does not improve within a week, it is essential to consult a doctor for more advanced treatments, such as:

• Corticosteroid injections to quickly decrease inflammation and pain

• Physical therapy, which can be particularly beneficial for frozen shoulder, and may include range-of-motion exercises and splinting

• Surgery, which is rarely needed and only for severe problems not responding to other treatments

Recovery time for tendinosis varies depending on the severity of the injury, ranging from weeks to months. To prevent tendinosis, it is essential to gradually build up activity levels, use limited force and repetitions, and stop if pain occurs. If you experience fever, swelling, redness, warmth, general illness, multiple sites of pain, or an inability to move the affected area, consult a doctor immediately, as these could be signs of a more serious problem requiring immediate attention.

For more information on tendinosis, visit WebMD's guide to understanding tendinitis.