Which doctor treats tendonitis

The doctor will likely ask you to move that joint so they can evaluate your ability to move it. The physical examination rules out other conditions such as bursitis, which is inflammation of the bursae sacs around the joint. The doctor may then request further testing, and the tests will depend on the symptoms you are experiencing. The diagnostic imaging scan that is most often ordered by a doctor if the doctor suspects tendonitis is usually an X-ray. An X-ray is the fastest, least expensive, and easiest medical scan to perform, and it is actually performed in this case in order to rule out other possible causes — such as arthritis, stress fractures, or infection.

If necessary, the doctor may also request an MRI scan to confirm the extent of the injury. Here at the Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, our orthopedic specialists are experts at diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal pain and injury of all kinds, including tendonitis.

Our advanced orthopedic facilities allow us to provide comprehensive treatment, from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Although rest is a key part of treating tendinitis, prolonged inactivity can cause stiffness in your joints. After a few days of completely resting the injured area, gently move it through its full range of motion to maintain joint flexibility.

You can also try over-the-counter medications — such as aspirin, ibuprofen Advil, Motrin IB, others , naproxen sodium Aleve or acetaminophen Tylenol, others — in an attempt to reduce the discomfort associated with tendinitis. You may initially discuss your signs and symptoms with your family doctor, but you may need referral to a specialist in sports medicine or rheumatology — the treatment of conditions that affect the joints.

During the physical exam, your doctor will check for points of tenderness around the affected area. The precise location of your pain can help determine if it's caused by other problems. Your doctor will also move your affected joint into different positions to try to replicate your signs and symptoms. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis Usually, your doctor can diagnose tendinitis during the physical exam alone.

More Information X-ray. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. More Information Tendinitis pain: Should I apply ice or heat? Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Adams JG. These may include: X-rays , which can show any bone-related problems or calcification in tendons or joint structures. MRI magnetic resonance imaging , which can show small tears and areas of tendon, ligament , cartilage , and muscle injury.

Ultrasound , which can show thickening, swelling, or tears in soft tissues such as the bursae and tendons. Treatment Overview Initial treatment for a tendon injury tendinopathy typically includes rest and pain relievers. The goals of this early treatment are to: Reduce pain and inflammation of the tendon. Restore normal motion and strength. The goals of ongoing treatment are to: Reduce pain. Avoid further degeneration or tearing of the tendon. Encourage regeneration of the damaged tendon.

Treatment for tendinopathies Take the following steps to treat tendinopathies: Rest the affected area, and avoid any activity that may cause pain. Get enough sleep. To keep your overall health and fitness, continue exercising but only in ways that do not stress the affected area.

Do not resume an aggravating activity as soon as the pain stops. Tendons require weeks of additional rest to heal. You may need to make long-term changes in the types of activities you do or how you do them. Apply ice or cold packs as soon as you notice pain and tenderness in your muscles or near a joint. Apply ice 10 to 15 minutes at a time, as often as twice an hour, for 72 hours. Continue applying ice 15 to 20 minutes at a time, 3 times a day as long as it relieves pain.

Although heating pads may feel good, ice will relieve pain and inflammation. Take pain relievers if needed. Use acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen or naproxen, as directed for pain relief.

NSAIDs also reduce any inflammation you might have in or around the tendon tendinitis. NSAIDs come in pills and in a cream that you rub over the sore area.

Do not rely on medicine to relieve pain in order to continue overusing a joint. Do range-of-motion exercises each day. Gently move your joint through its full range of motion, even during the time that you are resting the joint area. This will prevent stiffness in your joint. As the pain goes away, continue range-of-motion exercises and add other exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joint. Gradually resume your activity at a lower intensity than you maintained before your symptoms began.

Warm up before and stretch after the activity. You can also try making some changes. For example, if exercise has caused your tendinopathy, try alternating with another activity. If using a tool is the problem, try alternating hands or changing your grip. Increase your activity slowly, and stop if it hurts.

Avoid tobacco smoke. Tendon injuries heal more slowly in smokers than in nonsmokers. Smoking delays wound and tissue healing. Your doctor may: Prescribe physical therapy. Use a corticosteroid injection to relieve pain and swelling. But corticosteroid treatments usually are not repeated because of the potential for tendon damage. Prescribe a brace, splint, sling, or crutches for a brief period to allow tendons to rest and heal. Recommend a cast to rest and heal a badly damaged tendon.

Casting or surgery is typically used to treat a ruptured tendon. Some of the treatments being studied include: Nitric oxide and glyceryl trinitrate, applied topically to the skin over the injury. Ultrasonic, or shock, waves directed at the injured tendon shock wave therapy for pain caused by calcific tendinitis calcium built up in the tendons.

Platelet-rich plasma PRP. In this procedure blood is drawn from the patient, spun at high speeds to separate the blood cells called platelets, and then the platelets are injected back into the body at the injury site.

Home Treatment You can help prevent a tendon injury also known as tendinopathy from developing or recurring by taking steps at home, work, and during activities to promote healing and protect your tendons.

Home treatment steps include: Rest the affected area and avoid any activity that may cause pain. Take pain relievers. To help prevent tendon injuries from developing or from happening again: Warm up and stretch. Warm up before any activity, and stretch gently after you finish.

Strengthen your muscles to reduce stress on the soft tissues. A physical therapist, an athletic trainer, or your doctor can teach you specific exercises for strengthening your injured area. Evaluate and change daily activities that tend to cause or aggravate your symptoms. In your daily routine, change activities involving repeated movements that may strain your muscles or joints.

For example, start alternating hands or change the grip size of your tool. Try alternating your usual activities with some new ones. For example, if you like to walk for exercise and have had Achilles tendon problems, try swimming or doing water exercise on some days. Notice what you do and how you do it, and take action if needed.