It is an inflammatory-based disorder, triggered by an acute event (rarer) or by the chronic repetition of micro-stresses (more frequent).
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Tendon damage seen in tendinitis can resolve spontaneously; however, the repair process that characterizes healing involves the formation of a less resistant, less elastic and almost always thinner tendon tissue.
The tendons most sensitive to the onset of tendonitis are those that reside near the joints: ankle, knee, elbow and shoulder (in particular: sural triceps tendon, quadriceps femoral tendon, forearm extensors, supraspinatus tendon).
Tendinitis presents with pain, swelling and redness (where visible); very often, moreover, they also cause: reduced elasticity, impaired mobility and stiffness, and increased risk of breakage.
The risk factors for tendonitis are environmental (work, hobbies, sports, etc.) and subjective (anatomical predispositions, muscle weakness, etc.).
The published material is intended to allow quick access to general advice, suggestions and remedies that doctors and textbooks usually dispense for the treatment of Tendinitis; such indications must in no way substitute the opinion of the attending physician or other health specialists in the sector who are treating the patient.
negative is caused by a "work activity.- Pain in specific movements.
- Pain on palpation.
- Swelling and redness (if noticeable).
- Joint stiffness.
- Impairment of functionality.
- Feeling of joint instability.
- Loss of strength and hypotrophy of the attached muscles.
- Thinning, stretching and brittleness of the tendons.
- History: functional evaluation, palpation, etc.
- Imaging tests:
- Ultrasound.
- Radiography (for diagnosis of exclusion).
- MRI (for diagnosis of exclusion).
- Correction of postural defects.
- Scaling of overloads.
- Correction of motor sport technique.
- Correction of other customary gestures.
- Choice of tools, aids or footwear suitable for subjective characteristics.
- Automation of certain work phases.
- ATTENTION! There are systemic pathologies or complications (for example lupus erythematosus, chronic renal failure, etc.) which favor the onset of tendon diseases.
- Conservative therapy:
- Rest of the involved area.
- Use of aids that decrease joint mobility and improve load management (braces, splints, canes or crutches, orthotics, etc.).
- Physiotherapy, preventive-rehabilitative gymnastics and stretching: essential for the recovery of trophism and muscle strength, and joint stability.
- Cryotherapy or cold therapy: works by decreasing inflammation and calming pain.
- Drugs: anti-inflammatory (non-steroidal or corticosteroid).
- Medical treatments: useful for reducing inflammation and stimulating tissue repair.
- Surgery: used when tendonitis undergoes complications, such as calcifications and rupture.
- Post-surgical rehabilitation: physiotherapy type and subsequently strengthening.
- Consume an adequate amount of calories, which is 70% of normal calories.
- Choose foods with a suitable metabolic impact (whole foods and foods without refined carbohydrates), preventing spikes in blood sugar and insulin:
- Achieve a good amount of dietary fiber: it helps to keep blood sugar under control, modulates fat absorption and has a positive effect on estrogen levels.
- Keep the fraction of simple carbohydrates no more than 10-16% of total calories: it is usually sufficient to eliminate all sweet foods, keeping 4-6 servings of fruit and vegetables, as well as 1-3 servings of milk and yogurt.
- Keep the fat fraction no more than 25-30% of total calories, preferring the "good" ones (raw vegetable oils and medium-fat blue fish) over the "bad" ones (saturated, hydrogenated, bi-fractionated, etc.).
- Omega 3: they are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic (DHA) and alpha linolenic (ALA). They have an anti-inflammatory role. The first two are biologically very active and are found mainly in: sardines, mackerel, bonito, sardinella, herring , alletterato, tuna belly, garfish, seaweed, krill etc. The third is less active but constitutes a precursor of EPA; it is mainly contained in the fat fraction of certain foods of vegetable origin or in the oils of: soy, linseed, seeds of kiwi, grape seeds etc.
- Vitamins: the antioxidant vitamins are carotenoids (provitamin A), vitamin C and vitamin E. Carotenoids are contained in vegetables and red or orange fruits (apricots, peppers, melons, peaches, carrots, squash, tomatoes, etc.); they are also present in crustaceans and milk. Vitamin C is typical of sour fruit and some vegetables (lemons, oranges, mandarins, grapefruits, kiwis, peppers, parsley, chicory, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, etc.). Vitamin E can be found in the lipid portion of many seeds and related oils (wheat germ, corn germ, sesame, kiwi, grape seeds, etc.).
- Minerals: zinc and selenium. The first is mainly contained in: liver, meat, milk and derivatives, some bivalve molluscs (especially oysters). The second is mainly contained in: meat, fish products, egg yolk, milk and derivatives, enriched foods (potatoes, etc.).
- Polyphenols: simple phenols, flavonoids, tannins. They are very rich: vegetables (onion, garlic, citrus fruits, cherries, etc.), fruit and relative seeds (pomegranate, grapes, berries, etc.), wine, oil seeds, coffee, tea, cocoa, legumes and whole grains, etc.
- It is advisable to eliminate junk foods and drinks, especially fast food and sweet or savory snacks.
- It is also necessary to reduce the frequency of consumption and the portions of: pasta, bread, pizza, potatoes, derivatives, fatty cheeses, fatty meats and fish, cured meats, sausages and sweets.
ATTENTION! It is not advisable to force excessively with stretching and strengthening exercises; in addition to generating pain, they could favor the rupture of a particularly thinned tendon.
- Cryotherapy: cold therapy is useful in reducing pain and inflammation. It should be performed 2 or 3 times a day. Ice should not be applied directly; on the contrary, it should be placed in a containment bag with water and applied by placing a woolen cloth to protect the skin.
- Braces, bandages and bandages: these are tools that are sometimes useful for the reduction of symptoms. They have the function of accompanying or limiting movements. In sports practice they cannot be very tight; on the contrary, during work it is possible to tighten them more vigorously, taking care not to compromise circulation.
The drugs used are:
- Analgesics: generally also with anti-inflammatory action, they are used orally, especially in the fight against pain:
- Paracetamol: for example Tachipirina ®, Efferalgan ® and Panadol ®.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs):
- Systemic for oral use: they are more used than topical ones, as some affected structures may be difficult to reach through skin application (for example in the rotator cuff). They are also more powerful than ointments and gels. They may require the use of a gastroprotector. People with liver or kidney disorders are not always able to take them.
- Ibuprofen: e.g. Brufen ®, Moment ®, Spidifen ®, Nurofen ®, Arfen ®, Actigrip fever and pain ® and Vicks fever and pain ®).
- Ketoprofen: for example Arthrosilene ®, Orudis ®, Oki ®, Fastum gel ®, Flexen "Retard" ® and Ketodol ®.
- Diclofenac: for example Dicloreum ®, Deflamat ®, Voltaren Emulgel ® and Flector ®.
- Naproxen: for example Momendol ®, Synflex ® and Xenar ®.
- For topical use: they are mainly ointments or gels. They have the advantage of acting locally (useful for example on the Achilles tendon) without excessively straining the stomach and liver; however they are less effective. It must be specified that this is not the most suitable pharmacological category and persisting for a long time with their use could favor the worsening of the inflammation.
- Ibuprofen 10% lysine salt or 2.5% Ketoprofen (for example Dolorfast ®, Lasonil ®, Fastum gel ® etc.).
- Corticosteroids:
- Injectable by infiltration: they are used only if oral NSAIDs are not well tolerated for: allergy, gastric ulcer, diabetes, etc. If used for long periods they exert many side effects on connective tissues, especially tendons. They are the most drastic pharmacological solution, but also the most effective.
- Avoid slippery, too hard (asphalt) or too soft (sand) soils.