Tendonitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy?
The term tendonitis means inflammation of the tendon and is traditionally used in the clinical evaluation and description of complementary diagnostic tests, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging. It is currently reserved only for cases where there is an inflammatory process in the tendon, since, based on current evidence, there is little or no inflammation in most injuries caused by overuse or strain of the tendon, making the term tendonitis inappropriate.
The term tendinopathy is therefore more commonly used, as it is a broader term and refers to any tendon injury, whether it is tendinosis, tendonitis, tendon rupture, or other injury.
The term tendinosis refers to a chronic injury to the tendon that is caused by overuse.
What is a tendon?
Tendons are a fibrous “cord” made up of connective tissue and collagen found at the ends of each muscle and that attach muscles to the bone. Tendons allow us to move our fingers, hands, legs, shoulders and other body parts.
Because tendons are responsible for transferring force from muscles to bones, they are constantly subject to tension and mechanical stress, which, if repeated, can lead to small tears and subsequent degeneration.
Causes
As we get older, our tendons lose elasticity and tendinopathies become more common, particularly from the age of 35. One of the factors that may contribute to this increase in incidence is the fact that the population is becoming more active and therefore more prone to injury.
Tendinopathy can be caused by repetitive movements, such as those that occur at work or while exercising. People who are overweight, who have weak muscles or work in poor conditions are also more likely to develop tendonitis.
Symptoms
The main symptom of tendinopathy is pain, which is worse when the tendon is under stress or being used. In tendinopathies affecting superficial tendons, pain and thickening of the tendon may be felt on palpation. Swelling around the tendon is also common. The specific clinical presentation of each tendon varies depending on the location, severity of the injury and type of activity.
Diagnosis
Tendonitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy can be diagnosed by means of an objective examination carried out by the physician. Imaging tests, such as ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging, may also be requested.
Treatment
The primary goals of treatment are to relieve pain and improve mobility and function. It is therefore important to identify and, if possible, correct the cause (e.g. the type of footwear worn at work or when playing sports, lack of supervision by a sports instructor at the gym or swimming pool, poor ergonomics at the workplace, etc.).
Physiotherapy for muscle and tendon rehabilitation is very important in the recovery process. Physiotherapy exercises should be an integral part of the recovery process, both to aid regeneration and to re-educate movement patterns in order to avoid overloading the tendon and prevent relapses. During the recovery period, you should avoid overloading the injured tendon and may require rest.
Anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for a short period of time. Ointments containing anti-inflammatory drugs can be helpful in controlling pain. Similarly, timely corticosteroid injections can be used to relieve symptoms at the most critical stage of tendonitis.
If you need treatment for tendonitis, tendinosis or tendinopathy, contact our physiotherapy clinics in Lisbon.
