What Happens If Tendonitis Goes Untreated?

10 Sep What Happens If Tendonitis Goes Untreated?

Tendonitis, whether in the elbow, wrist, or shoulder, can be a frustrating condition to manage. The symptoms of tendonitis can sneak up on you, as they are often mild at first and gradually worsen. Leaving your tendonitis untreated can lead to severe damage that limits your mobility and months of recovery. At East End Occupational Therapy, our team specializes in treating tendonitis. We provide a comprehensive range of occupational therapy services to help our patients restore function and independence. Continue reading to learn more about tendonitis and what can happen if you avoid treating the issue. 

What Is Tendonitis?

Tendons are thick, fibrous cords found in the body that connect muscle to bone. When the tendons become irritated, swollen, and inflamed as a result of overuse, tendonitis occurs. This condition can cause pain and tenderness outside of a joint. Tendonitis can develop in any tendon in the body, but this condition is most common in the shoulders, wrists, and elbows. While tendonitis can result from an injury, repetitive action is the most common cause of this condition. 

What Happens If Tendonitis Goes Untreated?

Many cases of tendonitis respond well to self-care measures. However, leaving your tendonitis untreated can lead to a whirlwind of potential complications. When you leave your tendonitis untreated, the affected tendon can weaken and become more prone to tears and possible rupture. A ruptured tendon requires surgical repair and can cause permanent disability in severe cases. 

Repeated bouts of tendonitis can result in a buildup of scar tissue in the affected area. Since the scar tissue is not nearly as flexible as healthy tendons, pain and inflammation will persist. The stiff tendons can cause you to force the joint to work harder, leading to even more inflammation and pain. Untreated tendonitis can become a long-term issue that interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks such as eating, dressing, or even brushing your hair. Don’t let your tendonitis control your life. Tackling this condition head-on with occupational therapy can help restore function and tendon health. 

Occupational Therapy For Tendonitis

Occupational therapy is often recommended for patients suffering from tendonitis. This form of treatment aims to help people do what they want through the therapeutic use of daily tasks and activities. Tendonitis can lead to difficulties using computers, getting dressed, turning a key, opening a door, and more. Our dedicated occupational therapists can help you overcome these difficulties. When your movements become painful, it’s natural to want to avoid them. An occupational therapist can help you with practical challenges during your recovery. Here are some of the ways we can help patients with tendonitis:

• Vocational Support – Tendonitis can interfere with your ability to perform your work role. We’ll analyze the components of your position and identify the activities that exacerbate your condition. We can then modify the work environment or role to reduce the impact on the irritated tendon. 
• Custom Splinting – Our team can provide custom fabrication to provide protection and support to the injured area. Splints can reduce pain, preserve functional positioning, and allow the tendon to rest. 
• Therapeutic Techniques – Our occupational therapist will review your daily routine, identify what tasks or areas you might struggle with while recovering, and show you alternative ways to complete the activities. Small aids may be recommended to use around the house to reduce the impact of your activities on tendonitis. 

Contact Us

Tendonitis is manageable if you receive proper treatment. Left untreated, however, this condition can lead to other complications that make your injury worse and cause permanent damage to your tendons. Seek professional help at East End Occupational Therapy if you have tendonitis and it is not getting better with time. To learn more about how you can manage this condition, contact our team today!