Pencils ready. Here's a pop quiz.
What do tennis elbow, pitchers shoulder, golfers elbow, and jumpers knee have in common?
First, they all hurt. A lot. Many sufferers describe the pain as a dull ache, tender to the touch with visible swelling in the affected area.
Second, they are all forms of tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It is most common around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and heels.
A common form of tendonitis is Jumpers knee, which is surprisingly common in youth sports or any activity that involves a lot of kicking or running. Most children complain of pain or tenderness around the kneecap.
In most cases, the discomfort of mild cases of tendonitis can be treated with over-the-counter medication or rest. But if the pain persists, you may need to see a doctor.
Treatment for minor injuries
When we think of orthopedic injury, we often think surgery is the only option. However, a large majority of orthopedic injuries are nonsurgical, said Dr. Ryan Slater, a Sports Medicine Specialist. Many times these injuries improve without surgical intervention. The same holds true for tendonitis. For minor injuries, try the RICE method.
Rest. Reduce your level of physical activity and rest the affected area.
Ice. To decrease the pain and swelling, apply ice packs or ice baths up to 20 minutes several times per day.
Compression. Since swelling is a common concern, compressing the area with wraps or elastic bandages helps keep swelling under control.
Elevation. This is another option to reduce the amount of swelling. If you suffer from a knee injury, for example, raise the leg above the level of your heart.
When the pain just wont go away
If the RICE method doesnt work for you, then you may be looking at a more severe case of tendonitis. However, there are still many noninvasive procedures that can be used:
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. In medicine, ultrasound is used to detect changes in appearance, size, or contour of organs, tissues and vessels. It is also used to detect abnormal masses, such as tumors. Its painless, fast and can quickly provide doctors with images for a faster and more comprehensive diagnosis.
Platelet-Rich Plasma. When conditions do not get better with more conservative treatments, we sometimes consider using PRP, said Dr. Slater. This regenerative treatment involves taking a sample of your own blood, separating out the platelets, then re-injecting those healing elements into the affected area. While still relatively new to the field, it is quickly gaining popularity as an effective, non-surgical treatment for certain patients.
There are mixed studies, said Slater. Some patients show significant relief while others are not as conclusive. Still, for a select population, this procedure can provide fast, long-term relief.
Tenex Health TX. After about 8-10 weeks, tendonitis ceases to be strictly an inflammation problem and becomes more of a degenerative issue. If this is the case, Tenex can work well.
In this procedure, a specially designed needle enables Dr. Slater to pass through the tissue and remove the degenerative parts of the tendon that are causing the patient pain. This procedure has only been around for a few years, explained Dr. Slater, but studies have been very promising. This is a great treatment option for people who have severe symptoms and dont want to go through a major surgery. And it only requires a local anesthetic.
Prevention is the best medicine
As a former college football wide receiver, Dr. Slater has had his own share of orthopedic injuries. Now, he uses his professional knowledge and collegiate experience to treat current collegiate and high school athletes as well as other patients in the community.
To make sure your child enjoys a lifetime of physical activities, here are some suggestions.
What do tennis elbow, pitchers shoulder, golfers elbow, and jumpers knee have in common?
First, they all hurt. A lot. Many sufferers describe the pain as a dull ache, tender to the touch with visible swelling in the affected area.
Second, they are all forms of tendonitis. Tendonitis is the inflammation or irritation of a tendon. It is most common around your shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees and heels.
A common form of tendonitis is Jumpers knee, which is surprisingly common in youth sports or any activity that involves a lot of kicking or running. Most children complain of pain or tenderness around the kneecap.
In most cases, the discomfort of mild cases of tendonitis can be treated with over-the-counter medication or rest. But if the pain persists, you may need to see a doctor.
Treatment for minor injuries
When we think of orthopedic injury, we often think surgery is the only option. However, a large majority of orthopedic injuries are nonsurgical, said Dr. Ryan Slater, a Sports Medicine Specialist. Many times these injuries improve without surgical intervention. The same holds true for tendonitis. For minor injuries, try the RICE method.
Rest. Reduce your level of physical activity and rest the affected area.
Ice. To decrease the pain and swelling, apply ice packs or ice baths up to 20 minutes several times per day.
Compression. Since swelling is a common concern, compressing the area with wraps or elastic bandages helps keep swelling under control.
Elevation. This is another option to reduce the amount of swelling. If you suffer from a knee injury, for example, raise the leg above the level of your heart.
When the pain just wont go away
If the RICE method doesnt work for you, then you may be looking at a more severe case of tendonitis. However, there are still many noninvasive procedures that can be used:
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound. In medicine, ultrasound is used to detect changes in appearance, size, or contour of organs, tissues and vessels. It is also used to detect abnormal masses, such as tumors. Its painless, fast and can quickly provide doctors with images for a faster and more comprehensive diagnosis.
Platelet-Rich Plasma. When conditions do not get better with more conservative treatments, we sometimes consider using PRP, said Dr. Slater. This regenerative treatment involves taking a sample of your own blood, separating out the platelets, then re-injecting those healing elements into the affected area. While still relatively new to the field, it is quickly gaining popularity as an effective, non-surgical treatment for certain patients.
There are mixed studies, said Slater. Some patients show significant relief while others are not as conclusive. Still, for a select population, this procedure can provide fast, long-term relief.
Tenex Health TX. After about 8-10 weeks, tendonitis ceases to be strictly an inflammation problem and becomes more of a degenerative issue. If this is the case, Tenex can work well.
In this procedure, a specially designed needle enables Dr. Slater to pass through the tissue and remove the degenerative parts of the tendon that are causing the patient pain. This procedure has only been around for a few years, explained Dr. Slater, but studies have been very promising. This is a great treatment option for people who have severe symptoms and dont want to go through a major surgery. And it only requires a local anesthetic.
Prevention is the best medicine
As a former college football wide receiver, Dr. Slater has had his own share of orthopedic injuries. Now, he uses his professional knowledge and collegiate experience to treat current collegiate and high school athletes as well as other patients in the community.
To make sure your child enjoys a lifetime of physical activities, here are some suggestions.
- Warm up and cool down. Its a great habit for everyone, and should be taught to children early on.
- Proper gear. Its never a good idea encourage your child to run a 5K in a pair of VANS, for example. Children will have a better experience if they are equipped with the proper gear for the selected sport.
- Quality program. Be selective in choosing organized sports programs. A professional organization will offer well-trained coaches, well-maintained facilities and equipment, and offer a staff that is trained in medical assistance, if needed.
- Drink up! Dehydration is a constant concern during warm-weather activities. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases urges adults to make sure your child has access to water or a sports drink while playing. Encourage him or her to drink frequently and stay properly hydrated. Remember to include sunscreen and a hat (when possible) to reduce the chance of sunburn.