Tendinitis can occur in various locations throughout the body, almost always near a joint. This occurs when the tendons that attach muscles to bone become inflamed due to overuse, injury, or other conditions that may interrupt the normal function of the tendon. Tendinitis treatment can be very simple — the RICE method is a common treatment — or it can be more involved. Surgery and physical therapy may be necessary in more severe cases, while simple rest may be enough of a tendinitis treatment for more minor occurrences. If the tendinitis recurs or becomes chronic, it is a wise decision to see a doctor.
The RICE treatment involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Resting the affected area is often enough to reduce the inflammation and allow the injury to heal itself; icing can reduce swelling and pain; compression stimulates blood flow to the affected area, thereby promoting healing; and elevation does the same thing as compression. One important aspect of any tendinitis treatment, however, is finding out what caused the condition in the first place. Repetitive movements often lead to tendinitis, as do injuries. In many cases, an incorrect walking or running gait can lead to tendinitis, as can unnatural movements at home or work.
Athletes who suffer from tendinitis may want to consider physical therapy as a tendinitis treatment. Very often, poor form or conditioning leads to the tendinitis, and physical therapy can help correct the poor form and prevent the condition from occurring again in the future. Physical therapy as a tendinitis treatment can also help strengthen the tendons to encourage growth and prevent injury in the future. If the tendinitis occurred as a result of an injury or direct trauma, treating the injury itself is an important component of tendinitis treatment. A bone fracture or muscle strain, for example, could lead to tendinitis, and the original condition will need to be treated to ease the tendinitis pain.
Very severe cases of tendinitis or chronic tendinitis may require a surgery to correct. This is not as common as other types of treatment, and it is often considered a last resort because the invasive surgery can lead to complications. The tendons can be cut to prevent them from making contact with other fibers or material within the body that can cause irritation. The recovery period for such a surgery can vary, though a person can expect to be incapacitated in the affected area for several weeks or even a month or more.
