Tendonitis: Why Won’t It Go Away? (2024)

FAQs

Why is my tendonitis not going away? ›

Chronic tendonitis is often defined by the tendon pain lasting more than 6 weeks, and the condition is referred to as tendinosis. Tendinosis is thought to be mainly caused by degeneration of the tendon. In order to effectively treat and resolve tendinosis, you must stimulate regeneration of the affected tendon.

Unlike muscle tissue, tendons don't get a significant supply of blood. Blood delivers fluid and nutrients that are essential for healing. The less blood delivered, the longer it takes for tissue to heal.

Tendinitis can occur as a result of injury or overuse. Playing sports is a common cause. Tendinitis also can occur with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Body-wide (systemic) diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or diabetes, can also lead to tendinitis.

Tendinitis may go away over time. If not, the doctor will recommend treatments to reduce pain and inflammation and preserve mobility. Severe symptoms may require specialized treatment from a rheumatologist, an orthopaedic surgeon or a physical therapist.

Full healing of a torn Achilles tendon typically takes about four to six months.

They may be caused by strain, overuse, injury, or too much exercise. Tendonitis may also be related to a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection.

Several epidemiological studies [76,77] have shown a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and tendon injuries. In one of these, for example, 80% of subjects undergoing surgical repair of the rotator cuff were vitamin D deficient [68]. Amino acids are the fundamental units for protein synthesis.

Doctors may recommend over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen, to reduce inflammation in the bursa and tendon and relieve pain. These medications are typically recommended for a few weeks while the body heals.

What infection causes tendonitis? ›

Bacteria can enter the tendon sheath by direct inoculation via trauma or spread from infected adjacent soft tissues. It may also spread hematogenously. The most common pathogens are skin flora (i.e., gram-positive cocci such as Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci) [3, 4].

If tendonitis doesn't improve in about three weeks, a healthcare provider will offer additional treatment that could include: Corticosteroid injections: Corticosteroids (often called “steroids”) work quickly to decrease the inflammation and pain in your tendon.

Specifically, lupus can cause inflammation of your tendons and bursae to cause tendonitis and bursitis, which can result in joint pain and stiffness. Inflammation can also cause inflammation of the synovial membrane, which lines the joints, tendons, and bursae.

The condition causes pain and tenderness just outside a joint. Tendinitis can occur in any tendon. But it's most common around shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and heels.

The pain of tendinitis can be significant and worsens if damage progresses because of continued use of the joint. Most damage heals in about two to four weeks, but chronic tendinitis can take more than six weeks, often because the sufferer doesn't give the tendon time to heal.

They may be caused by strain, overuse, injury, or too much exercise. Tendonitis may also be related to a disease such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or infection.

Tendonitis surgery is typically considered when conservative treatments have failed to provide adequate relief, and the individual continues to experience persistent pain or significant loss of function.

While resting the inflamed tendon is often necessary to calm the inflammation, prolonged rest can actually weaken the tendon and lead to stiffness which may worsen the pain.