Tendinitis is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, which is characterized by the development of lesions in the tendon area. The disease manifests itself in both acute and chronic forms. With the development of chronic inflammation, destructive and degenerative changes in the tendon and surrounding tissues develop over time.
As a rule, tendinitis is a disease that is of a professional nature. The disease occurs in athletes, as well as in people whose work is associated with heavy physical labor (similar movements).
Patients with tendinitis complain of pain that occurs during movement, sometimes the affected area becomes slightly swollen, the skin is hyperemic, hot to the touch.
reasons
The main reason for the development of tendinitis is the development of fatigue injury, which occurs under the influence of repetitive intense movements, as well as due to movements that are repeated too often, regardless of the amplitude.
At first, the tired tendon tissue swells, the initial splitting of collagen fibers occurs. With the subsequent preservation of the entire volume of loads, the tendon tissue is modified, degenerations in the form of fatty islands are formed, the tissue becomes dead, calcium is deposited.
RISK GROUPS
Athletes – throwers, skiers, golfers, tennis players.
Persons of physical labor – carpenters, painters, gardeners, movers, etc.
SYMPTOMS OF TENDINITIS
Chronic tendinitis develops most often. This form develops gradually, often over several years. At the initial stage, unpleasant and painful sensations arise, of a short-term nature, which arise as a result of prolonged exertion. During rest, the pain goes away, and the patient does not feel discomfort, the volume of movements is fully preserved.
As the disease develops, the pain syndrome increases and at some point becomes permanent. Also, the pain is significantly increased with the slightest physical exertion. Pain causes greater discomfort, difficulties appear in professional activity.
Some patients note that the affected area is swollen, hot to the touch, and the skin is hyperemic.
TYPES OF TENDINITIS
Depending on the anatomical area , there are several types of tendinitis:
Tennis player’s elbow is lateral tendinitis. In this form, the tendons that are responsible for the extension of the wrist become inflamed. In more rare cases, the elbow extensors of the hand, long extensors (radial) and the general extensor of the fingers are affected.
A patient with this type of pathology presents the following complaints: weakness of the brush, over time, the patient experiences more and more difficulties when performing simple movements – shaking hands, lifting cups, twisting underwear, etc.
Medial tendinitis is a disease of golfers. This disease develops in people who are engaged in light, but monotonous and prolonged physical labor. Another category of people most susceptible to the disease are gymnasts, baseball players, fitters, seamstresses, typists, etc. The pain is localized on the inside of the elbow joint.
Knee tendinitis. This is the most common form of pathology. Pain first occurs only after an active and prolonged physical activity, but subsequently worries the patient already during a minor load, as well as at rest. When examined by a doctor, acute pain occurs when trying to extend the lower leg, as well as when palpating and pressing on the area of injury. With the development of severe ligament damage, edema develops.
DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF TENDINITIS
The main method of diagnosis of all types of tendinitis is magnetic resonance imaging. Conservative methods are used in the treatment. The affected limb should be immobilized, local nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, as well as anesthetic ointments are used to reduce pain. In the subacute period, reflexology, phonophoresis, electrophoresis, as well as therapeutic gymnastics are resorted to.
Tendinitis, in which the pain syndrome is poorly treatable, is subject to blockade with the use of glucocorticosteroids.
