Tendinitis Specialist

What is tendinitis?

Tendinitis occurs when one or more of your tendons becomes irritated or inflamed. Tendons are fibrous cords of soft tissue that connect your muscles to your bones. 

Over time, tendinitis causes pain and tenderness near or around a joint. This can make it difficult to go to work, exercise, or perform other routine tasks.

Tendinitis can occur anywhere in your body, but your knees and heels are especially susceptible. With early diagnosis and intervention, it’s possible to manage tendinitis and prevent it from getting worse. 

What are the symptoms of tendinitis?

The symptoms of tendinitis vary from person to person. Common indications include:

• A dull, aching pain that affects a particular limb or joint
• Tenderness
• Mild swelling
• Mobility issues

As tendinitis gets worse, you might also notice that your joints or limbs feel stiff or lack a full range of motion.

Who is at risk of tendinitis?

Tendinitis affects people of all ages, genders, and races. Several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Being middle-aged or older
• Playing sports that require repetitive motions, like baseball or tennis
• Working a physically demanding job
• Regularly reaching overhead

When left untreated, tendinitis increases your risk of more serious health problems, including a complete tendon rupture or tendinosis. Tendinosis causes a tendon to degenerate; it also triggers the growth of abnormal blood vessels.

How is tendinitis diagnosed?

Your podiatrist at Sarasota Foot Care Center diagnoses tendinitis by conducting a physical exam, reviewing your medical history, and asking about your lifestyle and symptoms. 

Usually, these measures are enough to make a diagnosis. However, if your provider suspects another underlying problem like a stress fracture or bone bruise, they may order onsite digital X-rays or an ultrasound.

How is tendinitis treated?

The team at Sarasota Foot Care Center usually recommends conservative, integrative treatments to address tendinitis. Ultimately, their goal is to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. 

If you have a mild case of tendinitis, you might benefit from over-the-counter pain medications, corticosteroid injections, or shockwave therapy. 

For more serious cases of tendinitis, you might need physical therapy or custom orthotics. If you suffer a tendon rupture, surgical intervention may be necessary.

To learn more about treatment options for tendinitis, schedule an appointment at Sarasota Foot Care Center today. Call the office or book a consultation online.