Tendon Pain

Why Does Tendon Pain Occur?

Tendon pain occurs as a direct result of tendon tissue becoming inflamed, irritated, strained, or damaged. The medical term for this general pain is “tendinopathy,” and it usually stems from one or a combination of the following factors:

• Overuse: Engaging in repetitive activities or suddenly increasing your activity levels can strain tendons, leading to pain.
• Injury: Trauma or accidents can damage tendons, causing inflammation and discomfort.
• Poor biomechanics: Incorrect body mechanics, such as improper lifting or awkward movements, can stress tendons, contributing to pain.

Tendon issues are especially common for people who are active in sports and exercise. Besides this, the risk of tendon pain increases with age and engaging in certain activities with repetitive motions or poor ergonomics.

Understanding these factors contributing to tendinopathy can encourage individuals to be more mindful of maintaining good tendon health. And, if cases of tendon pain do arise, this knowledge can help in pinpointing potential causes and guiding tailored treatment options.

But first, it’s necessary to recognize the signs of tendon problems. So, let’s explore what it can feel like.

What Does It Feel Like?

We all know that pain is a signal that something isn’t quite right. Some of the more common areas for tendon pain to occur include the shoulders, biceps, wrists, thighs, knees, and the Achilles tendons in the ankles.

Being mindful of the symptoms listed below can help you identify tendon issues early, so you can seek prompt intervention that may prevent symptoms from lingering.

• Pain
• Swelling
• Stiffness
• Tenderness
• Limited range of motion
• Weakness
• Crepitus (joint popping or clicking)

Medical Conditions Associated With Tendon Pain

It’s important to recognize that if your tendon pain doesn’t seem to be caused by typical factors or is persisting over a long period of time, it could be associated with a medical condition. 

The headings below go into more detail about how certain health issues can lead to tendon pain and discomfort.

Diabetes

Individuals with diabetes and elevated blood sugar levels may produce more of the compound glycation end-products (AGEs). When there is an excess of this compound, the body resorts to storing it throughout various tissues, including the tendons.

Elevated levels of AGEs in the tendons can interfere with their normal function over time. This especially affects their healing process and structural integrity, making them weaker and less flexible. As a result, the risk of tendon injuries and painful symptoms increases.

Understanding this process is crucial for diabetics, as it highlights the impact diabetes can have on tendon health and why it’s important to be careful when exercising or caring for musculoskeletal injuries with this condition.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the body’s immune system attacks the protective membrane of the joints, called the synovium. The synovium becomes flooded with powerful compounds, leading to damage and local inflammation. This harm and inflammation can then spread to the tendons, causing symptoms of tendon pain.

Because RA is a chronic and persistent condition, tendons are not given time to heal, resulting in impaired structural integrity that causes mobility issues, pain, and discomfort. A specialized management plan for RA is crucial, with a focus on gaining control over the immune response and minimizing its negative impact on tendon health.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a type of tendinopathy, which is a general term for any condition involving tendons. The tendons are thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. Tendons help your muscles move and support your joints, but when they become inflamed and irritated from overuse or injury, it can lead to pain, soreness, swelling, and limited mobility. Tendonitis can affect any of the many tendons in the body; however, it is most common in the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles because these are the areas where movements are repeated most frequently.

It’s important to note that tendonitis differs from tendinosis, a chronic degenerative condition of the tendon due to repetitive strain and overuse. While tendonitis can often be treated with home remedies or physical therapy, tendinosis often requires medical attention.

Gout

Gout is a kind of arthritis. It can cause sudden, severe pain and swelling in your joints. The condition is caused by a buildup of uric acid crystals in your joints, which can lead to intense and chronic pain.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis, a term originating from Greek words for “bone” and “passage,” signifies a condition where bones become brittle due to mass loss. This process is part of bone metabolism, where bones, comprising minerals like calcium and collagen fibers, continuously renew themselves. However, as one ages, particularly after 40, the breakdown of bone outpaces its regeneration, leading to decreased density and increased fragility. This condition, especially pronounced in postmenopausal women, can lead to fractures from minimal stress, highlighting the importance of understanding bone health in relation to symptoms like tendon pain.

Infection

Infections of the tendons can lead to the conditions of tendonitis or tenosynovitis, both of which cause inflammation and pain. Tendonitis stems from inflammation of the thick tendon band, while tenosynovitis involves inflammation of the protective sheath around the tendon, usually spreading to affect the tendon tissue as well. 

Infections provoke tendon pain and swelling when harmful microorganisms, like bacteria, cause tissue damage and inflammation. This harmful process prevents the tendons from functioning normally, resulting in stiffness, weakness, and discomfort.

While the exact cause of tendon infections isn’t always clear, early identification and treatment are crucial. Acting promptly not only helps alleviate painful symptoms but also reduces the risk of complications and contributes to better health outcomes.

Understanding how these medical conditions are associated with tendon pain can help you better understand the underlying cause of your own symptoms. This then guides more comprehensive management that addresses both the specific condition and any related tendon pain.