Tendinitis Specialist
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Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians
Vivek Babaria, DO, FAAPMR
Sports Medicine, Pain Management & Interventional Spine Specialist located in Newport Beach, CA
A dull ache in your elbow, knee, foot, shoulder, or other body part could be tendinitis. Essentially, tendinitis means your tendon is highly irritated — and that irritation could cause a disabling injury if it goes untreated. About 70,000 people miss work due to tendinitis every year — but thanks to the Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians team, including Vivek Babaria, DO, FAAPMR, you don’t have to be one of them. Servicing the areas of Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Anaheim, and Long Beach, California, so call or click request appointment today.
Tendinitis Q&A
What is tendinitis?
Tendinitis is inflammation within a tendon, one of the tough cords of tissue that link muscles and bones. Your tendons help guide joint movement, so inflammation can disrupt that process and make it hard to move your shoulder, knee, elbow, or another affected body part.
There are many types of tendinitis, including:
Lateral epicondylitis
Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, affects the tendons that run down the back of your elbow and arm.
Medial epicondylitis
Medial epicondylitis, or golfer's elbow, affects the tendons running from the inner elbow to the inner wrist.
Biceps tendinitis
Biceps tendinitis, or rotator cuff tendinitis, affects the upper biceps tendon, which joins your biceps muscle with your shoulder.
Achilles tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis affects the tendon that connects your lower leg muscle with your heel.
Patellar tendinitis
Patellar tendinitis affects the tendon between your kneecap and lower leg bone.
Other types of tendon injuries, like trigger finger and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, affect the sheath that surrounds tendons rather than the tendon itself.
What are the symptoms of tendinitis?
Tendinitis can cause a range of symptoms in and around an affected joint, including:
- Dull ache
- Increased discomfort when you move
- Swelling
- Grating sensation when you move
Your symptoms may abate with rest, but if you persist with regular activities, you may experience a tendon rupture, which causes even more serious symptoms.
How is tendinitis diagnosed?
The Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians team performs a full functional assessment to diagnose your tendinitis. This encompasses not only physical examination and symptom discussion but also advanced imaging, such as diagnostic ultrasound evaluation.
How is tendinitis treated?
Tendinitis treatment depends on how your condition affects your activities and how serious your symptoms are.
Options like steroid injections and nerve blocks can reduce inflammation and pain, which permits you to be active in physical therapy. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy can be very beneficial for both tendon healing and pain relief.
If physical therapy and injections aren't sufficient, you may need a procedure like a tenotomy. In this procedure, your surgeon removes damaged tissue without disrupting your healthy tendon tissue. This ultimately aims to restore your range of motion and ease your pain.
The Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians surgeons perform tenotomy using ultrasound guidance and minimally invasive methods, which allow for the fastest recovery.
While there's no doubt that tendinitis hurts, it's a very treatable problem. Call the Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians office nearest you, or click the provided booking link to arrange your consultation today.
