Have you ever suffered from tendonitis? Generally it can be said that it tends to develop during the most terrible paperwork or the most exhausting physical work, potentially reshaping one’s plans for the upcoming weeks. If you are also at risk of tendonitis or have experienced its symptoms, this article will guide you on what you can do about it. We will go through the symptoms that may indicate tendonitis and discuss how to prevent it.
Where is the tendon sheath located, and why can it become inflamed?
To understand how to overcome this disease it is also need to know exactly what we are facing with. Tendonitis is an exceptionally common disorder worldwide, experienced by a significant portion of the population. It can develop in anyone, regardless of age or gender. A sharp, throbbing sensation, a sudden intake of breath, feeling of despair.
The tendon sheath holds and protects the tendons in the hand. Its role is to prevent easy injury during intense or sudden movements. Since the muscles in the hand are often strained by repetitive monotonous movements or intense work, inflammation can easily develop in the stressed area. Very simply, this is called tendonitis.
How does tendonitis develop?
We briefly discussed this earlier, but in fact, this particular disease can develop in two main ways:
- During intense or repetitive monotonous work
- and in other cases, through infection.
Indeed, tendonitis can unfortunately be contracted through infection as well. Infectious inflammation is the most threatening when the hand is subjected to strong irritation, such as when a splinter gets stuck and becomes infected. Symptoms manifest rapidly in such cases.
Afterwards the inflamed area:
- becomes excessively sensitive to pressure,
- spontaneously, and then continuously aches.
Inflammation is capable of spreading quickly to the surrounding areas, so if not treated promptly or taken seriously enough, fever and lymphadenitis may also develop. Therefore, if you experience any of the abovementioned symptoms, it is advisable to consult with an orthopaedist as soon as possible.
How can we treat tendonitis ourselves?
A medical professional’s opinion therefore inevitable, so consider this paragraph more as a quick overview of home options before you can consult with a medical practitioner.
- Be sure to treat the inflamed body part with care; rest is crucial in this state, and you can use supportive aids for this purpose.
- Soothe the inflamed area with cold compress.
- If available, apply an anti-inflammatory cream. This alleviates inflammation and relaxes the irritated area.
From this point on, a specialist will determine exactly what kind of inflammation has developed in the affected area and what treatment you should receive – this could involve a splint, medication or even physiotherapy and physiotherapy. Prevention of tendonitis is also crucial. In more severe cases surgical intervention may be necessary. In such instances, medical practitioners use antibiotics to “flush”’ the tendon sheath, and then place the injured hand in a cast. It is advisable to adhere to the prescribed rest period in every case. Disregarding medical advice and returning to work while using the hand under the pretext of doing it “just a bit” is not recommended.
Bear in mind that tendonitis can develop quickly, but overcoming it may take weeks. Therefore, it’s crucial to notice the symptoms in a timely manner and not dismiss them and then continue daily activities as if nothing happened.
Prevention of tendonitis
Up until now we have only discussed what to do in the case of tendonitis. Now, let’s talk about what we can do to prevent it.
Preventing tendonitis is relatively simple. If you feel that the work you’re doing is exhausting, take as many breaks as possible. By breaks, we don’t mean starting another work routine. Take a break, move your hands, give them a rest, or go for some sports and leisure activities. In your free time, pay attention to strengthening the muscles of the affected limb.
Tendonitis and Sports
It is advisable to protect the wrist and hand during sports, therefore the use of special protective equipment is recommended.
- Wrist supports: These provide rest and stabilization to the wrist, helping to prevent potential injuries and significantly supporting the recovery process after accidents.
- Hand and finger stabilizers: These also protect and keep the hand, fingers, and tendons in optimal positions, offering effective protection against various injuries, including tendonitis.