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Tendons are tough, fibrous and flexible tissue bands connecting muscles to the bones. Tendonitis is the condition that results from the inflammation, irritation or microscopic tearing of tendons. What actually causes Tendonitis is barely known in most cases and the condition happens due to two reasons when identified. The first one is overuse of tendons which involves excessive repetition of a given body motion. The next is overloading especially due to activities like weightlifting. On rare occasions, an infection could cause Tendonitis particularly gonorrhea. While the condition can happen at any part of the body with tendons, it is however, more common in the elbow, shoulder, knee, heel and wrist. People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from Tendonitis for uncertain reasons.

The various symptoms of Tendonitis

Generally, Tendonitis tends to cause pain on the tissues that surround the joint particularly if it is used a lot during work or play. The joint might feel weak in some cases and the area could be swollen, warm to touch or red. Other symptoms could be observed where the condition is caused by gonorrhea infection like fever, rash or penis/ vaginal discharge. Symptoms also tend to vary depending on the tendon affected including rotator cuff Tendonitis, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee, Achilles Tendonitis and de Quervain’s disease.

How do doctors diagnose Tendonitis?

Once the doctor has reviewed your medical history particularly regarding joint injuries that you have suffered in the past, specific questions will be asked regarding your pain. Such include the feeling of your pain which could be burning, sharp or dull, where the pain is located, whether you have tingling, weakness or numbness, when the pain started or if you have engaged in unprotected sex. When undertaking a physical examination, the doctor will be looking for swelling, tenderness, muscle weakness and redness. In some cases, blood tests may be necessary to determine why the joints are inflamed like in rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

How Tendonitis can be prevented

Taking some few precautions can go a long way in avoiding Tendonitis and your doctor should recommend some helpful strategies to you. First, warming up is essential before you start strenuous exercises, gradual intensification of the exercising level and avoiding activities which require reaching your head for a prolonged time period like ceiling painting. Make sure that you wear proper fitting shoes and use the right exercising technique. Gonorrhea related Tendonitis could be prevented by practicing safe sex or abstinence.

Treatment regimens for Tendonitis

Having Tendonitis treated sooner than later is essential for recovering full flexibility and strength. Ice packs need to be applied on the painful area regularly in a day and the pain can also be relieved by taking aspirin or ibuprofen. While it is rare to have surgery for Tendonitis treatment, severe cases that do not to other treatments options can only be fixed through a surgical operation.