tendonitis

How Tendonitis Occurs

A tendon is the end part of a muscle that attaches the muscle to the bone.  The normally very elastic and soft muscle tapers off at the end to form the much more dense and stiff tendon.  While this density makes the  tendons stronger, the lack of elasticity of the tendon and the constant pulling on its attachment to the bone with movement, makes it much more susceptible to a low level of tearing at a microscopic level.

Common Areas of Tendon inflammation

The most common tendon areas that become inflamed are the elbow, wrist, biceps, shoulder (including rotator cuff attachments), leg, knee (patellar), ankle, hip, and Achilles.  Of course, tendonitis can will vary with each person, as it strikes the areas you use most. 

 Tendonitis Symptoms

Symptoms can vary from an achy pain and stiffness to the local area of the tendon, to a burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed tendon. With this condition, the pain is usually worse during and after activity, and the tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day.