{"id":4373,"date":"2019-02-25T05:06:56","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T05:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=4373"},"modified":"2021-03-29T13:40:44","modified_gmt":"2021-03-29T13:40:44","slug":"14-causes-of-tendonitis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/14-causes-of-tendonitis\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Causes of Tendonitis"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Tendonitis occurs when the tendons that connect the muscle and the bone become damaged and experience inflammation. There can be a number of causes of tendonitis, including repetitive movements in work or sports or a sudden injury. This happens often among people who don\u2019t warm up before a workout or do not know how to execute movements at work properly to avoid injury. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tendonitis can have other causes, such as calcium deposits that cause pain. Diabetes can also weaken the tendons and make tendonitis more likely. Age and level of activity can also be factors that can increase the chances of developing tendonitis. Consistent movement, warming up, and exercising regularly are ways to prevent tendonitis. If you have a job that requires repetitive movement, talk to experts about how to move that will keep you from putting too much pressure on your tendons.
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1. Repetitive Movements<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you have a job that involves repetitive movements, you may be increasing your risk of developing tendonitis<\/a>. Damage to the tendons does not necessarily result from a single, traumatic injury, but can accumulate over time as you continue to do the same movements hour after hour, day after day. If you are a housecleaner, carpenter or painter, your job may put a strain on your tendons, so you should be on the lookout for signs of tendonitis. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes tendonitis is called Repetitive Stress Injury, but what is affected is specifically the tendons and not the joints, the bones are other parts of the wrist, elbow or knee. If you have tendonitis as the result of repetitive movement, you don\u2019t have to change jobs or switch sports but contact a physical therapist on how to move in a way that will take the pressure off your tendons.
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2. Calcium Deposits<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many cases of tendonitis are caused by repetitive movements or stress injuries<\/a>, but in some cases, it can result from calcium deposits that build upon the tendons and interfere with their functioning. This condition is called calcific tendonitis and usually affects the shoulder joint. Experts are not sure why calcium deposits form, but they are more common in women above the age of 30.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Calcium deposits don\u2019t happen all at once but build up over time. You may not feel it at first, but when the deposits get bigger, pain may result. Doctors can diagnose calcific tendonitis with an Xray, ultrasound or an MRI scan. This will allow the doctor to see the deposits and deal with the problem. In some cases, the calcium may be absorbed again in the body, but if it does not go away, surgery may be a way to remove the deposits.
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3. Not Warming Up Prior to Exercise<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Good exercise <\/a>routines involve warming up and cooling down for a good reason. The body does not function at its best when it is forced to move at full intensity suddenly or stop too quickly. This is especially true when you are not accustomed to exercising. You may hear of people who have been inactive and suddenly get tendonitis from participating in sports without proper warming up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have promptly begun an exercise routine and do not do stretches before or after, the pain that results may be the result of damage to the tendon which binds the muscle to the bone. The best way to treat the problem is rest, cold compresses and in some cases, pain relief. A physical therapist can give you tips on how to stretch out before exercise to avoid injury or aggravating your tendonitis. It is a good idea to work out with a trained instructor who has a full warm-up session.
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4. Not Moving Properly<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether you have developed tendonitis because of repetitive movements you do at work or from a new sport you have taken up, chances are, you have developed the condition because you were not moving properly. It is important that when you start a new job, whether as a carpenter, a cleaner or a typist, think about the kind of movement that will be required for your job. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Will you have to move your fingers for hours and hours on a keyboard or reach upward for painting? Consult physical therapists<\/a> and other experts on how to move while working in a way that will prevent injury. Similarly, if you take up a new sport, it is a good idea to take a class with a professional who will teach you how to execute movements correctly. You may also consider special equipment such as additions for your keyboard to prevent tendon damage in the wrists.
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5. Obesity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Excessive activity and strain can lead to damage to the tendons, but inactivity can also be responsible for problems with the tendons. A sedentary lifestyle can lead to obesity which poses a number of risk factors for developing tendonitis. Research has established a link between obesity <\/a>and tendonitis. Tendon degeneration was found to be more rapid in overweight subjects than others. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excess weight can also affect the amount of collagen found in the tendon that can interfere with functioning because of lipid deposits. In addition, weight can put a strain on the body particularly the joints and can lead to weak tendons and pain. Maintaining a healthy weight can improve general health and also take the pressure off your joints and tendons. If you already have tendonitis, you may find that your symptoms ease up as you continue to lose weight.
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6. Sudden Injury<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Repetitive injury can cause tendonitis, but a sudden injury can also be responsible for problems with the tendon<\/a>. Sometimes people may feel they have \u201cpulled a muscle\u201d when in actuality, they have damaged the tendon that connects the muscle and the bone. It may be hard to determine whether you are suffering from muscle strain and tendonitis at first, but if the symptoms do not go away soon, then the tendons may be the area affected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

See a doctor if you are not certain of the kind of injury you are suffering from. The pain is a way of telling you to rest, so avoid strenuous activity for a while but consult with a physical therapist on how to stretch the area to heal the damage. Use ice packs and if necessary, pain medication to help relieve the pain. In the future, stretch before working out so you can reduce the likelihood that you will suffer an injury.
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7. Age<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While age alone may not be the cause of tendonitis, age is accompanied by other factors that may give rise to the problem. As we get older, our bodies can weaken, including our bones and tendons. If the tendons are weak, they are more vulnerable to damage that can occur to muscles and directly to the tendons. In addition to the natural weakening of tendons with age, as people get older they may become less active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tendonitis can occur often if people who are not accustomed to regular exercise suddenly engage in physical activity that can lead to injury. One way to prevent tendonitis as you get older is to exercise moderately several times a week with a warm-up and cool-down. Avoid activities that require repetitive or strenuous movement. In addition, as you get older it is important to get enough vitamins <\/a>and minerals to keep your muscles, bones, and tendons in top shape.
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8. Other Health Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Certain conditions can make it more likely that you will develop tendonitis. Diabetes <\/a>and arthritis can often make it more likely that the tendons will be damaged. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are both characterized by a higher blood sugar level which leads to the development of advanced glycation products which result from blood sugar bonding with protein and fat. These AGEs are produced by non-diabetics, but the pace at which they develop is much faster for diabetics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The AGEs attack collagen in the tendons and weaken them, therefore, making the tendons more vulnerable to damage. Sometimes the symptoms of tendonitis can feel like arthritis, but the fact is that both conditions could be happening simultaneously. Both conditions can cause inflammation and discomfort in the joints, but arthritis affects the joints themselves and tendonitis is focused on the tendons. Tendonitis does not cause arthritis, but both conditions can aggravate each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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9. Infection<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon and this can actually have a large number of different causes. Among these is infection<\/a>: if you have an infection in the tendon then this will cause the body to direct blood and antibodies to the region, which in turn causes swelling and pain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can tell an infection versus a general\ninjury in a few different ways. For one, you might notice discoloration of the\narea. Often the skin and tissue surrounding the region will become red first\nand then darken: becoming blueish and black in some cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, the region will often be very sensitive to touch and this can cause significant pain and discomfort. If this is a weight-bearing limb, then you might be unable to walk without limping. Even when there is no contact, the area may feel very sore and have a dull ache. Moreover, you may also feel unwell in yourself: often, you might feel hot and cold flushes, fever, and chills. You may become nauseous. Normally, the infection can be treated relatively simply through a course of antibiotics. It is important to act quickly however before the issue spreads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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10. Impact<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A more straightforward cause for tendonitis is a simple impact. If you bang your arm or leg against something, then you might cause trauma to the tendon and this can cause it to fray or rupture. As such, the area will become painful <\/a>and swollen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have bruised an area, this will cause\nthe blood vessels beneath the skin to break, which may in turn cause\ndiscoloration as blood pools around the tissue. There are a number of things\nyou can do to help yourself recover from this kind of accident: rest the area,\nmake sure to keep it elevated, and apply a cool compress. If you are worried\nabout the severity of the trauma, then speak with your doctor to rule out the\npossibility of a fracture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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11. Muscular Imbalance<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tendonitis can be caused by a muscular imbalance. This means that you might find yourself moving incorrectly in order to compensate for weakness or tightness in one muscle <\/a>or joint, or perhaps to compensate for unusual skeletal deformities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An example of this might be if you were to have poor ankle mobility \u2013 which is a common complaint. This would then prevent proper dorsiflexion of the foot, meaning that you weren\u2019t able to bring the foot upward all the way. That, in turn, means that when jumping, for instance, you wouldn\u2019t be able to dip down as far and may find yourself leaning forward more. This would place the pressure more on the knee and on the shin, than if you were to have better mobility.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The result is that you would then potentially\ncause injury to the shin muscles and tendons or to the knees. This could lead\nto tendonitis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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12. Muscle Tear<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Many people refer to muscles and tendons as though they were separate entities. In fact, though, the muscle actually becomes the tendon in most cases as the types of fiber change. This means that a muscle tear<\/a> can actually also affect the tendon, causing tendonitis. What\u2019s more is that when lifting very heavyweight, you might tear the tendon directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One reason this happens is when you progress too quickly in the gym. Because the tendons receive less blood supply than the muscles, this means that they take longer to respond to training. This is particularly problematic for those using performance-enhancing drugs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For these reasons, you should be very careful\nto always progress in the gym in a controlled manner, and not to push yourself\npast the point of mild discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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13. Hyperextension<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Hyperextension <\/a>occurs when you swing your arm or kick your leg and then allow it to lock out all the way. The most obvious example would be when throwing a punch. In martial arts, you are taught to throw punches and then stop with the elbow slightly bent. Allow the arm to extend fully and the impact will be in the elbow, leading to irritation and potential damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other sports may also incur the same damage.\nAttempting to kick a ball and missing for instance, or playing tennis with too\nmuch vigor. In fact, the latter is one of the most common causes of tendonitis:\ntennis elbow is a form of tendonitis after all!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always make sure to stop the movement short,\nand not to put 100% effort into a kick, throw, or punch, unless there is\nsomething there to absorb the impact other than your joint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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14. Excessive Flexibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, one potential cause of injury is excessive flexibility. This can occur if someone has trained too much to be able to extend their normal range of motion, and it can also occur to genetic and individual differences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While flexibility is a good thing, too much can actually prevent some of the fail-safes designed to prevent the body from moving beyond its normal range. This, in turn, can lead to injury. In fact, some studies show that the wrong type of stretching prior to a workout <\/a>(non-dynamic) will actually make you more likely to have an injury!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure you perform movements in a controlled manner and know when to stop pushing further.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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