Is it Tendonitis or Tendinosis?

Is it Tendonitis or Tendinosis? 

Similar sounding and often confused but very different conditions lasting from a few days to many years. Tendons are the physical tissues that link our muscles and bones. Their purpose is to transmit energy and keep the body safe when tension is applied to the attached muscles. When these connective tissue become painful it can be diagnosed as an “itis” or an “osis” condition. 

Tendonitis is an acute injury which typically lasts less than two weeks but often can last several months if left untreated. It is caused by the bodies inflammatory reaction to fatigued muscles. An over exerted muscle that causes pain related to the single bout of activity is known as “tendonitis”. Tendonitis is tender to the touch which is a symptom that is key in how to treat it. Treatment for this condition includes following the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation and getting treatment including chiropractic or physical therapy. With the following treatment this condition should improve allowing the individual to gradually return to normal activity.

Tendinosis is a chronic condition lasting longer than a few months and upwards of a few years.,and often results from leaving a tendonitis untreated. A degenerative tendon is caused by the bodies inability to rebuild connective tissues faster than they are being broken down. Treatment for “Tendinosis” is a bit more complicated. The pain is not from inflammation but from the collagen breakdown. Reversing the breakdown of collagen would be the treatment route for tendinosis and would typically require treatment from your Bozeman chiropractor or physical therapist requiring more intense treatment with slower results. Rest and strengthening exercises are used in the treatment of this condition. These exercises should be given by a healthcare professional as they are able to choose correct exercises that will not cause further injury. 

Don’t ignore your body’s symptoms of pain or discomfort and get the treatment that your body needs before it gets worse. If you are experiencing either of these conditions or are unsure what is causing your pain call Gallatin Valley Chiropractic. (406) 551-2177. 

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