TENDONITIS
Tendonitis is often characterized as inflammation of a tendon as well as its attachment to muscle, usually due to overuse of a tendon muscle. The inflammation most commonly affected are areas near the Achilles tendon, elbow, and shoulder rotator cuff. It can often be quite painful, at times severely swelling up the inflamed areas, restricting full range of motion due to such factors. Due to its common areas of inflammation in particular tendons, adopted names have been assigned to these locations. Achilles tendonitis refers to inflammation of the Achilles tendon of the heel, while “tennis elbow,” is the generally characterized term to describe tendonitis in the elbow. Other common areas where tendonitis…show more content… While tendonitis is characterized as inflammation of the tendon with no signs of damage under a microscope, tendonosis is a chronically damaged tendon. Disorganized fibers can be observed from a tendon experiencing tendonosis, also displaying a hard, rubbery like appearance. The cause of tendinosis is not inflammation, for inflammation is not present. The main cause is degeneration. Histologically, there is no visible difference between a healthy tendon and one experiencing tendonitis. However, there is a visible difference between a healthy tendon and tendinosis. The image below marked “A” refers to a normal histological view of a healthy tendon, while “B” marks a visible difference of tendinosis. In tendinosis the collagen fibers are distorted, with no elongated nuclei along with a darker overall appearance in…show more content… Usually when a patient experiences pain a day after performing a physical activity such as swimming or hiking or playing tennis, it is a sign of tendonitis. For instance, if one were to play tennis all day, and then the next day wake up with a sore rotator cuff, that increases in pain with motion, as well as redness and swelling, that is a sign of inflammation. These symptoms suggest tendonitis of the rotator cuff. It just happened suddenly, didn’t develop over time. Physiologically, tendonitis is your body responding to irritation. The tendon is irritated due to overwork, with possible microscopic tears within. The inflammatory is then triggered, patient experiencing heat in the affected tendon, as well as swelling and tenderness. The inflammation causes pain, however, it is the body’s healthy response to repair. During inflammation, there is a build up of fluid which causes swelling of the affected area. Increased blood flow is what causes redness and heat, while the increased chemical release in nerve endings is what causes pain. Below is an example of tendonitis within a tendon in a rotator
