Tendinitis: consult a doctor by instant messaging

Tendinitis: how to treat it and who to consult

Tendinitis (or tendinopathy) is the inflammation of a tendon. When this inflammation also affects the tendon sheath, its protective covering, doctors diagnose tenosynovitis. Inflamed tendons cause pain on movement and to the touch. It is advisable to consult a general practitioner as soon as this pain becomes bothersome and disrupts daily life. You can take advantage of online consultation on Feeli to receive a diagnosis and suitable treatment. A doctor will likely suggest you learn certain exercises, to also help increase your range of motion and reduce your pain. Take care of your health!

Definition and causes: how to recognise tendinitis

Tendinitis refers to the inflammation of a tendon; tendons connect muscles to bone. They are made of resistant tissue, like fibrous cords. Some tendons also have a sheath. The exact cause of tendinitis is often uncertain. It can occur at a middle or older age, when the body ages and the tendons weaken. This weakening of the tendon has a specific name: tendinopathy. It can, for example, occur after numerous small tears, whether sudden or gradual. In younger people, tendinitis sometimes appears with exertion, sport, intense physical activity, or at work during repetitive movements. Certain antibiotics can also increase the risk of tendinopathy and tendon rupture. In addition, some tendons are particularly prone to inflammation:
 • The rotator cuff or the shoulder tendons: this inflammation is the most common cause of shoulder pain;
 • The two tendons involved in thumb movement: De Quervain's disease refers specifically to this inflammation;
 • The flexor tendons, which allow the fingers, wrist or elbow to bend. They can become stuck in their sheath as a result of inflammation;
 • The biceps tendon located in the upper arm, above the biceps muscle;
 • At the heel: the Achilles tendon. This is also known as Achilles tendinitis;
 • A tendon running along the side of the knee;
 • Or the tendons near the hip.
In conclusion, many joint conditions can increase the risk of tenosynovitis, such as systemic sclerosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or gout. In the case of gonorrhoea, an STI causing particularly painful urinary symptoms (especially in women), tenosynovitis can affect the tissues of the shoulders, fingers, wrists, ankles, hips or feet.

What are the symptoms of tendinitis?

Inflamed tendons are very often painful to the touch, on movement, or against resistance. Even a small movement of the joints near the tendon can cause pain, depending on the severity of the tendinitis. In patients with an infection, gout or rheumatoid arthritis, the tendon sheath (or the tendon itself) can also swell and feel warm, as a result of fluid build-up. Swelling may also be visible or felt on palpation. In addition, palpation causes localised pain of varying intensity along the tendon. In cases of scleroderma, the tendon sheath sometimes remains dry but can cause friction as the tendon moves within its sheath. When tendinitis lasts a long time, a calcium deposit can form around the shoulder joint. The shoulder then becomes stiff, painful, and also weakened. The risk is that it becomes stuck during movement.

Treatments for tendinitis, tendinopathy and tenosynovitis

Treatments for tendinitis include:
   • Immobilisation or rest, applying heat or cold to the area of inflammation, then resuming physical activity. Doctors recommend patients learn exercises to improve their range of motion;
   • Taking medication to relieve pain: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen;
   • In some cases, corticosteroid injections.
Immobilisation with a cast, a splint, or rest, depending on the case, often proves effective. To reduce inflammation and pain, taking NSAIDs is sometimes recommended for 7 to 10 days. When the pain is too severe, it is possible to inject corticosteroids and anaesthetics directly into the tendon sheath. More rarely, the injection causes pain in the following hours, even though it fades within 24 hours. It can also be treated with painkillers and cold compresses. In addition, in cases of rheumatoid arthritis, persistent chronic tendinitis often occurs. It sometimes requires surgical treatment to remove the inflamed tissue. Other long-lasting cases of tendinitis, particularly in the shoulder joint, sometimes require surgery to remove the calcium deposit or repair the tendon. Before the operation, rehabilitation of the muscles and tendons can be worthwhile, through physiotherapy aimed at increasing range of motion. And generally, once the inflammation is under control, doctors recommend learning exercises aimed at improving range of motion. They should be performed several times a day. Finally, surgery can help relieve scar tissue that restricts part of a movement, or remove part of a bone that rubs against a tendon.

Consult a GP online to treat your tendinitis

Whether chronic, linked to numerous tears (sudden or gradual) or to inflammation, tendinitis often causes discomfort and disabling pain. Taking anti-inflammatories at high doses can help reduce inflammation and relieve symptoms. When these are not enough, despite rest, cold or heat, corticosteroid injections may be necessary. Doctors also advise learning training exercises aimed at improving flexibility and range of motion. Physiotherapy sometimes offers real benefits. In any case, teleconsultation gives you a quick diagnosis and the implementation of a suitable treatment or therapy. In the event of an accident or trauma, seek emergency care; surgery is sometimes necessary.