Minerals and Vitamins for Tendon Repair

Inflammation of the tendon (dense, tough, white, fibrous tissue connecting muscle to bone) is known as tendonitis. Tendonitis can occur after an injury or due to repetitive motions done over time. Tendonitis often occurs in the shoulder but may occur in the elbow (commonly referred to as tennis elbow), in the Achilles tendon (Achilles tendonitis), in the wrist, knee (patellar), ankle, hip biceps, or other areas where the tendons connect to the bone. The area affected by tendonitis depends on the area that the patient uses the most or the area that an injury occurred.

Tendonitis Cure Articles: Tendonitis and Arthritis ~ Exercise and Tendonitis ~ Calcific Tendonitis ~ Trigger Finger ~ Trigger Finger Exercises ~ Hand Tendonitis ~ Hip Tendonitis ~ Knee Tendonitis ~ Wrist Tendonitis

What Causes Tendonitis?
Tendonitis is caused by over use of the tendon, ill-fitting shoes, bone spurs, or obesity. All of these things put stress and strain on the tendons which could lead to tendonitis. One example of tendonitis is when a person plays tennis and repetitively swings the racket; the tendons of the elbow will become tighter and begin to tear over time. This tearing will cause the inflammation and pain of tendonitis. Scar tissue then forms over time and stiffness and a decreased range of motion of the joint will occur.

What are the Symptoms of Tendonitis?
Symptoms of tendonitis include a sharp or an achy pain, swelling and tenderness, limited movement of affected joint, a burning sensation in the area, and weakness in the arm or leg. Pain is normally worse during and after activity and becomes stiff the following day.

What are the Treatments for Tendonitis?
Tendonitis pain should subside markedly after about three weeks but healing does not occur fully until about six weeks. Scar tissue will form which will bind the tissues together. Sometimes scar tissue continues to form after six months and then the condition is chronic and more difficult to treat.

Tendonitis can be treated by resting the area affected with tendonitis, applying ice to the affected area for the first 24 to 48 hours, followed by applying moist heat to the area. Immobilizing the joint by putting a brace on the area will help in healing and prevent further damage to the tendon. Ibuprofen or aspirin can be taken to both relieve the pain and the swelling of tendonitis.

Topical drugs containing menthol can be rubbed into the skin in order to stop pain and loosen the stiff muscles. One natural supplement that you can take to treat tendonitis is Methyl Sulfonyl Methane or MSM. It is organic sulfur with anti-inflammatory properties that is found in the body and heals tissues at the cellular level.

Shoe inserts may be used if the tendonitis is being caused by bone spurs in the feet. The doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs or an ultrasound treatment as well. Ultrasound is a treatment that uses the quick vibrations of sound waves to improve the circulation in the tissue and soften the scar tissue that is formed by tendonitis. After the area has healed, gentle exercise will help break down scar tissue and help restore movement to the area affected by tendonitis.

Regular and gentle stretching of the muscle will prevent the muscle from becoming pulled. Sometimes the doctor may inject cortisone into the site directly to reduce the pain and the swelling caused by tendonitis. This is done infrequently, however, due to the resulting weakening of the tendon and the creation of further scar tissue. If the tendons rupture, surgery may be necessary to repair the tendonitis.

Can Tendonitis be Prevented?
Tendonitis can be prevented by taking breaks from repetitive activities every once in a while. Begin new exercises gradually and if you feel pain, stop the exercise and rest. Don’t try to work through the pain because permanent damage to the tendons may result.

Also, be sure to stretch the muscles after warming up but before exercising and then again after exercising. When you stretch, do not bounce. In addition, it is important to wear properly fitting shoes so that they do not rub against the tendons of the foot. Maintaining a normal weight will also help prevent tendonitis caused by the strain on the tendons due to excess weight.

If you take the proper time to let the tendon heal as well as treating it properly, you may be able to avoid surgery and restore movement to the area.