Month: May 2010

Can anyone help me with my tennis elbow problem?

I have a pain in my elbow, I’m pretty sure it’s a condition called tennis elbow. I saw my doctor at my check-up and told him about it. He asked if I was icing it and I said "yes." He didn’t really say anything else about it. I had this problem twice in the past but it didn’t last long both times. This time it seems like it’s here to stay. Does anyone know any exercises or anything that will help it heal without me decreasing my physical activity? I’ve already looked in Wikipedia and read over that page. Thanks a lot.

Two Year Old With Thumb Tendonitis

Here is an interesting question from one of our readers.

I took her in because her left thumb at the top joint seemed to be popping out of place and was swelling. Her doctor said that she had tendonitis and that there was nothing we could do because she probably wouldn’t let us splint it or ice it. But my question is, is it common for a two year old to get tendonitis. I thought tendonitis usually came with age.

Shoulder Tendonitis

Start Shoulder Tendonitis Treatment Before You Develop a Rotator Cuff Tear

Shoulder tendonitis is a condition that will effect a lot of us at some time in our lives. It is caused by inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff. Early symptoms will include pain after exercise or activity. This usually gives you some sign of what is causing the condition in the first place. Left untreated the pain can become constant. It tends to be at the side and top of the shoulder and is at its worst when lifting your arm above shoulder height.

Your shoulder can feel weaker than normal, depending on how long you have had the problem. Movement may be accompanied by a cracking or popping sound and as the shoulder deteriorates you may have trouble getting comfortable at night so sleep may become difficult.

It is tempting to continue as normal and work through the pain, especially if it is not too severe but ignoring this relatively minor condition can lead to more serious problems.

Shoulder Tendonitis can come about for a variety of reasons. Some of us are born with a predisposition to shoulder problems. If your work involves using yoru shoulders a lot or you use them a lot in a sports activity you can be vulnerable especially if it is overhead activity. Shelf stackers, painters and decorators are all at a higher risk of shoulder tendonitis.

Early shoulder tendonitis treatment is essential. This will involve the R.I.C.E formula. Rest, Ice Compression and Elevation.

You need to stop any activity that causes you pain and aggravates the problem. If you feel pain with a movement stop doing it. This might involve changes at home or work but is vitally important. Every painful movement causes more damage to the rotator cuff tendons and you can end up with a torn rotator cuff if you ignore this.

Ice, compression and elevation are all intended to help reduce the inflammation that is causing the pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs taken at regular intervals will also help. If you control the inflammation,the pain will be controlled as well.

When you have got the pain under control it is important to start some shoulder exercises to strengthen not only the rotator cuff muscles but also the rest of the shoulder muscles. By getting your shoulder muscles in shape you significantly reduce the risk of futire injuries. There are twenty two muscles involved in shoulder movement. If you wake them all up and get them working together they can help your rotator cuff solve your shoulder tendonitis and you will avoid further problems.

These will not be exercises to do at the gym. Pushing weights will do nothing. They tend to be exercises that use little or no weights or resistance, often Pilates or Yoga based that focus on control and flexibility above strength. The great thing is that they can usually be done at home at a convenient time.

Exercise is the key to successful shoulder tendonitis treatment. Deal with the inflammation and pain and once things have settled down strengthen your shoulder muscles and rotator cuff.

That way you will easily avoid the pain and inconvenience of a rotator cuff tear.
About the Author

If you found this article useful and would like more information on shoulder tendonitis treatment check out my blog at

http://myrotatorcuffcure.blogspot.com

Great Bodyweight Training Books www.elasticsteel.net Shoulder Tendonitis Exercises

Wrist Extensor Taping For Tennis Elbow

Here is a very helpful taping technique that can help alleviate tennis elbow problems that are not very severe.

Mulligan Concept instructors Rick Crowell and Julie Paolino guide clinicians through one of several therapeutic taping techniques for tennis elbow. Physiotherapist Brian Mulligan is the originator of The Mulligan Concept, an internationally practiced and prescribed regimen of manual therapy and home exercise. For more detailed information regarding indications and contraindications for implementing and prescribing this technique, please reference Brian’s textbook (Manual Therapy: NAGS, SNAGS, MWMS, etc.) or attend a Mulligan Concept continuing education seminar. Enjoy the clip, it is one of 30 available on RxDVD, a Northeast Seminars (NES) publication.

Treatment For Patellar Tendonitis

Here is a question from one of the readers out there concerning patellar tendonitis

I play football and after each practice, or when I play in the park my patella tendon hurts. My therapist said it was patellar tendonitis. I checked out a few websites, a lot said ultrasound and these special herbs


Patellar tendonitis, which is also referred to as “Jumper’s Knee”, can occur when an athlete inflames or over stretches their patellar tendon. As you can imagine, this can occur as a result of repetitive motions like jumping.

Jumper’s knee happens when someone puts too much strain on the patellar ligament. Athletes such as runners, basketball players, volleyball players and soccer players will often times be those who suffer from patellar tendonitis; although it can strike anyone if enough strain is put on the ligament. If you suspect you may have patellar tendonitis, you can usually feel pain when you press on the tendon that directly covers the knee. You may also experience swelling and stiffness. Sufferers of this form of tendonitis will usually feel pain when bending at the knee. This usually occurs when the patient kneels down or jumps.

Treatment for patellar tendonitis will vary, depending on how bad your symptoms are. In most cases, your doctor will take an X-ray of the knee, just to make sure there isn’t any damage to the joint or bones of the knee. In some cases you may have to undergo an MRI. An MRI helps doctors assess whether the tendon, or determine whether it is aggravated. Once the doctor can make an accurate assessment, they will recommend a suitable treatment plan.

Applying ice to the tendon will help in most cases. Ice helps to control and minimize the swelling of the tendon. This will reduce your knee pain, and allow the tendon to heal more rapidly. Anti-inflammatory Motrin and Ibuprofen are prime examples of anti-inflammatory drugs. These drugs will help decrease swelling and control the pain. (Before you take any drugs, you should always speak with your physician first).)

Rest is one of the best cures for tendonitis. Stay away from any activity that causes pain or that can irritate the tendon further. Help your body heal itself by giving yourself enough rest.

A knee brace can help provide support to the knee. Many tendonitis sufferers use them not only when they have a problem, but also to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place. A well designed knee brace can be an invaluable tool to the patellar tendonitis sufferer.

Jumper’s knee can often be painful, without a doubt. Avoiding having to suffer from it is a key element, especially if you rely on your knee for sporting activities. Make sure that you properly warm up before you exercise, and wear a knee brace when possible. This will help cut down on the chances that you will suffer from Jumper’s knee in the future.

About the Author

If you would like more free information like this then visit us online today. While the credentials that prove we are brace specialists were well earned, we realize this process is about you and your knee’s health. Let us help you. Visit us online and learn more at http://www.drbraceco.com

Effect of Tobacco Use On Tendonitis Recovery Time

Here is  very interesting question from one of our readers.

I’ve been diagnosed with a severe case of tendonitis  with months of recovery.  Every doc asked if I smoked or used tobacco (I don’t) when discussing recovery time. Can someone explain the relationship between tobacco use and tendonitis recovery? (beyond merely answering “it takes longer to recover”)