Orthopedist Questions Orthopedist

Does tendonitis ever fully heal?

I am a 50 year old male and I have tendonitis. Does tendonitis ever fully heal?

16 Answers

Tendonitis is an inflammation of the tendon, there is a root cause to why the tendon is inflamed, unless the root cause is fixed, the pain or symptoms will not go away fully.
Absolutely. If you are compliant with the instructions given by your physician tendinitis does fully heal
Yes it can, anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen, prednisone) can help a lot. Also physical therapy is very useful as well as maybe even a walking boot. I do tendon sheath injections with steroid to treat these that go on for a long time and a lot of them heal well with that treatment. There is no increased risk to the tendon doing the injection under an xray and the steroid bathes the tendon to decrease the inflammation.
Yes, but the age of the patient and recurrent or chronic tendonitis changes the answer. Once any tissue is injured, (except bone or liver), there is a repair process. Scar tissue replaces the collagen base tendon and subsists as a weak layer in the matrix of the tissue. This weak layer predisposes you to new injury. PRP or mesenchymal treatments can dramatically improve the outcomes when applied to the weak collagen layers. I have had excellent results with these applications over the last 15 years.
Yes.
Yes It may take some time
Hello. Tendinitis can fully resolve if the causative agent is determined and treated. I recommend stretching on a regular basis. I also recommend looking at your sugar to make sure that they are not worn. If they are worn they need to be replaced on a regular basis.

Dr. Lui
Yes however if it is under stress tendonosis will continue and degeneration of the tendon will result in eventual failure of the tendon
Proper biomechanics is essential for a tendon to heal
Yes it does. Tendonitis is acute inflammation and will resolve but it may take a long time. If it is due to repetitive stress you may be reinjuring the area. If it does not resolve you may need revaluation or further imaging studies to determine if the cause is tendonitis or something else
Yes, but some tendons such as the Achilles can take a year. And factors that caused the tendinitis must be addressed to prevent recurrence.
Yes with physical therapy
Good physical therapy, custom shoe orthotics, and rest. Be patient!
Yes if treated by a good sports medicine foot and ankle specialists. This is what I specialize in. This will progress if left untreated. There are multiple conservative options that work very well. Please, make an appointment with me in my Chandler office (480) 269-7130 and I will go over all of your options. Depending on Xrays (if needed) that I can take at my office and the clinical exam, I am able to diagnose and recommend different treatment options. I recommend you have this checked as soon as you can, especially since I can usually treat this without surgery very well in just one visit with me. My office is located on Dobson road, just north of Chandler Regional Hospital. Advanced Foot & Ankle Specialists of Arizona. Feel free to ask to be seen by me specifically and I will get you in the same day or latest the next day. I take all insurances, please do not go off of the insurance list on this website as it is not updated yet. Mention that I have talked to you on the internet. I can also do the entire visit with you over the phone or video call as well, which most insurances cover, even if you are out of state and my staff can verify this for you when you schedule. Thank you and have a good evening.
It depends on how damaged the tendon is. Was an MRI performed? Where there any tears or irregularities in the substance of the tendon? Have you, as a patient, been asked to be in a boot or cast? Have you been asked to rest? Have you been given anti-inflammatory medications? Were you compliant with the treatment plan?? Many patients take pills or are told to be minimally active and use assistive devices, such as walking boots, crutches, casts, and other items, to alleviate stress off the tendon and allow for healing to occur. Many patients are non-compliant with such things, and without alleviated stress off the tendon, the problem does not improve, or worsens. This being said, tendons are very dysvascular structures (they do not have a good blood supply), and healing is never 'quick' with such problems, even if surgery is performed.
Tendinitis is a condition that needs to be managed. If there is structural damage to the tendon, then it may be a chronic problem. I recommend you be evaluated by a Foot and Ankle Surgeon (podiatrist) to determine the cause and appropriate treatment
Yes, it can heal, but it needs to be treated appropriately to allow it to heal fully.