Bursitis and Tendonitis
What are Bursitis and Tendonitis?
Bursitis and tendonitis are common conditions that frequently occur at the same time. Both can cause inflammation and pain around soft tissues in the body – joints or tendons. Understanding the characteristics of each of these conditions will help you and your physical therapist design a suitable care plan to address and treat your immediate symptoms and develop a plan to avoid reinjury.
Tendonitis and bursitis are typically caused by overuse or repetitive strain on the affected area. Some joints which are commonly affected include the shoulder, elbow, wrist, shin, knee and heel. Patients often have significant pain or loss of range of motion due to these conditions. Additionally, bursitis and tendonitis are progressive conditions; meaning that without treatment, the painful symptoms tend to become more severe over time.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis occurs when inflammation affects a tendon. The inflammation can be caused by either a sudden injury or more gradual irritation by repetitive motion over time. Tendons are thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. When you move your muscles, the tendons ensure that your bones move, too. When a tendon becomes inflamed, you will likely feel pain or tenderness and experience swelling which typically causes a reduction of function around the joint.
Anyone can develop tendonitis. However, people who have a job or hobby which involves repetitive motion around a joint are at a higher risk for the condition. Athletes often get tendonitis, where it may be known by common names such as tennis elbow, jumper’s knee or swimmer’s shoulder. The nature of many jobs that tradesmen perform also lends to developing this painful condition.
Bursitis
Like tendonitis, anyone can develop bursitis. It is also frequently associated with repetitive motion. However, with bursitis, inflammation is occurring in the bursa. Bursae are small fluid filled sacs that reduce friction and cushion the spaces around bones and other tissue such as tendons and muscles. The bursae act as a buffer to protect your joints. With bursitis, the bursae have become inflamed and patients will typically have some swelling along with pain.
What can physical therapy do to help Tendonitis and Bursitis?
Left untreated, bursitis and tendonitis can lead to chronic pain and swelling.
Physical therapy for tendonitis and bursitis has three main objectives:
- Reducing pain and inflamation
- Improving flexibility and range of motion
- Strengthening the affected muscles and tendons
The ultimate goal is to prevent future injury by teaching proper body mechanics and exercise techniques.
Your physical therapist will likely develop a program which includes stretching and range of motion exercises, strengthening exercises, and a combination of manipulation or mobilization of the joint. With treatment, your physical therapist will help you learn how to heal your body and modify your activities to prevent re-injury, reach activity goals and get you back to your normal routine.
Choose Comprehensive Rehab
If you have been diagnosed with Tendonitis and/or Bursitis and are seeking physical therapy options, contact us at Comprehensive Rehab. It is important to treat these conditions to avoid compromising your long term joint health. Our physical therapists will help you come up with a long term treatment plan so you can get rid of the pain and get back to doing the things that you love. We have offices in Clinton and Maquoketa.
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