This injury to a tendon in the arm, shoulder, elbow, knee or heel can be very painful and disabling. The right reflexes to adopt to recover as quickly as possible. Tendons, the collagen cords that attach muscles to bones, are often put to the test. Too intensive sports training, uneven terrain, poorly adapted shoes or an impact are sometimes enough to create localized inflammation that causes tendonitis.
A dental infection or repeated gestures (too many text messages, computer mouse or piano) are also likely to damage the tendons. It is better to react quickly to avoid recurrences and the risk of tendon rupture.
Above all, you must neither stretch nor run with the osteopath in the acute phase. "A weakened tendon above all requires rest", explains Dr. Christophe Delong, sports doctor.
To soothe the inflammation and neutralize the swelling in the joint, quickly apply an ice pack wrapped in a cloth to the painful area. Leave it in place for 20 minutes. To be renewed two to three times a day. Cryotherapy also gives good results. A few minutes of freezing cold "in fact temper the mediators of inflammation and boost the body's production of anti-inflammatory molecules", specifies Dr. Baptiste Coustet, rheumatologist.
You can benefit from cryotherapy sessions in the various Cryotep centres, at the Resort Alliance Pornic, at the Dinard thalassotherapy center and at the Thalazur centers in Cabourg or Arcachon.
Video of the day:If the pain is sharp, gently massage the sore area with a diclofenac or ibuprofen-based gel to ease the pain. Wintergreen essential oil (EO) is also indicated because it contains anti-inflammatory and analgesic substances (methyl salicylate). Mix 2 ml of wintergreen HE and 2 ml of peppermint HE in a knob of arnica or apricot oil, then apply in a gentle massage two to three times a day.
You can also try ginger compresses:macerate sections of fresh ginger root in a glass of water, then soak a clean cloth in it and apply it for 5 minutes on the affected joint (3 to 4 times a day) .
The duration of tendonitis varies according to its severity and location:from one week to two/three months, or even a year at the elbow (the famous tennis elbow). But if the pain persists for more than a week and a half, you should consult a doctor.
In the event of significant tendonitis, he may prescribe physiotherapy sessions or corticosteroid injections. If the tendon has lost its elasticity (degenerative tendinitis), shock wave treatment can be considered to regenerate prematurely aged collagen fibers.
When all treatments fail or in case of internal tearing of the tendon, surgery becomes necessary (under local anesthesia).
To prevent tendonitis, remember to hydrate yourself well, especially when you play sports and do not neglect the warm-up phase which makes the muscles and tendons more tolerant of the mechanical stresses they have to withstand.
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