Tendonitis is mostly an inflammation or irritation of the tendon. Tendons are thick, ropelike cords that attach the muscles to the bones. Tendons perform the role of a pulley to help muscles move a joint. Tendonitis typically affects the biceps, shoulders, hands, wrists, thumbs, and calves.
Board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Steven Thomas and Dr. Gregory Bigler provide safe, prove and effective treatments for various forms of tendonitis. Patients in Las Vegas, Nevada, and surrounding locations have an opportunity to receive these treatments from Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler.
Common Causes
Tendonitis is most commonly caused due to sports related injuries or repetitive movements. Sports activities typically involve repetition of a particular movement each time. Certain types of jobs of hobbies also involve repetitive motions, which places stress on the tendons needed to perform those activities. In a few cases, tendonitis may occur due to a sudden injury.
Therefore, when performing repetitive job related activities or play a sport that involves repetitive movements, it is especially important to use the proper techniques. Improper techniques can result in overload on the tendon, which may eventually lead to tendonitis. Appropriate physical exercises can also help to prevent the occurrence of tendonitis in people who engage in sports or jobs involving repetitive movements.
Other Causes
Tendonitis may also be caused in a few cases due to one or more of the following reasons:
- Poor walking habits
- Bad posture while sitting or standing
- Some types of arthritis and related conditions
- Conditions related to metabolism, such as diabetes
- Stress on soft tissues from a poorly positioned or abnormal bone or joint, such as leg length differences or joint deformities
- Side effects from certain types of antibiotics
Patients in Las Vegas, Nevada and nearby areas have an opportunity to receive cutting edge procedures for the treatment of tendonitis from board certified orthopedic surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Bigler. They will carefully evaluate the causes behind the occurrence of the condition and then suggest a customized treatment approach.
Risk Factors
Risk factors for developing tendonitis include age, participating in certain types of sports, and working in particular jobs.
Age
The tendons will become stiffer as a person gets older, which will make them more vulnerable to injuries.
Occupations
If a person’s job involves one or more of the following attributes, they are more likely to be affected by tendonitis:
- Repetitive motions
- Awkward positions
- Frequent overhead reaching
- Vibration
- Forceful exertion
- Sports
Certain types of sports activities involving repetitive motions increase the risk of developing tendonitis, particularly when the technique is not optimal. This may occur with:
- Tennis
- Golf
- Running
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Bowling
- Swimming
- Riding a bicycle
In absence of timely treatment, tendonitis can increase the risk of tendon rupture, which is a more serious condition and may require surgical repair. If the condition remains untreated for several weeks or months, it may also cause tendinosis, which involves degenerative changes in the tendon, along with abnormal growth of new blood vessels.
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada board certified surgeons Steven C. Thomas, MD and Gregory T. Bigler, MD. call (702) 933-9393; Physical Therapy (702) 933-9394