Tendonitis / tendinitis (meaning inflammation of a tendon), is a type of tendonopathy (tendon disorder) often confused with the more common tendinosis (tendon degeneration) as it has similar symptoms. Tendonitis often involves significant acute injuries, such as trauma or a fall, or may occur with some type of activity that the body isn't used to. Tendonitis is also more likely to occur in tendons that have been previously injured and left weaker by improper rehabilitation. If the symptoms of tendinitis last for several months or longer, it is probably tendinosis. Tendonitis requires a different treatment to the more common long term tendonosis and as such, proper diagnosis is required.
Typically, a patient will present complaining of tenderness in a specific area of the foot after an injury. This tenderness or pain may or may not be accompanied with aching, burning or localised stiffness. The area will often be tender to touch, warm, slightly swollen and even reddened. Pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day as muscles tighten from the movement of the tendon.
Treatment of tendon injuries is largely conservative. Treating tendonitis in the first 2-3 days after a new injury is crucial and includes sticking closely to the RICER principal of Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and Refferal to a podiatrist if required. Resting of the stressed tissues assists in the prevention of further damage to the tendon. Ice is effective at alleviating pain and is believed to limit excessive swelling by restricting blood flow. Similarly, compression and elevation limit excessive, unnecessary inflammation and assist in drainage of fluid that can accumulate around injured tissues. In some cases, physical therapy, over the counter anti-inflammatory's, and complete rest may be necessary.
After this time, the use of NSAIDs combined with, rest, orthotics or braces are often used to assist the healing process until full recovery is achieved in approx 4 to 6 weeks. After this period, gradual return to exercise and normal activity is commenced.
These modalities are used to help reduce the chances of the tendonitis progressing to tendonosis which takes longer to heal.