Advanced Treatment Options for Tendonitis and Bursitis at ARBDA
You won’t have to be a weekend warrior or an elite athlete to develop tendonitis or bursitis. For many people, these painful conditions can easily result from everyday activity related to work or play.
At Arthritis, Rheumatic and Back Disease Associates (ARBDA), we understand how debilitating tendonitis and bursitis can be, impacting your daily life and mobility. With over 50 years of experience serving South Jersey and Philadelphia, our rheumatologists are dedicated to offering cutting-edge care.
From your first physical exam to follow-up care, we focus on providing thorough evaluation and effective treatment plans that reduce inflammation, restore mobility, and relieve pain.
Make ARBDA your trusted partner in recovery. If you’re struggling with bursitis pain or chronic symptoms of tendonitis, our personalized approach ensures that you get the care you deserve.
Tendonitis vs. Bursitis: What Is It?
Tendonitis and bursitis are common conditions that affect the soft tissue around muscles and bones. While their symptoms are similar, tendonitis treatment and bursitis treatment differ because they involve different structures within your body, and they each have distinct causes.
Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons, which are the structures that connect muscles to bones. It often results from repetitive motion or overuse, particularly in high-stress areas like the elbow (commonly known as tennis elbow). In other words, tendonitis is when your tendons begin to break down due to repeated use from sports, labor, and other physical activity.
Bursitis pain is caused by an inflamed bursa, which is a small sac that cushions bones, tendons, and muscles near the joints. Shoulder bursitis symptoms are very common and often confused with tendonitis, but they may stem from different causes.
The distinction between tendonitis versus bursitis is crucial for effective treatment. For example, cortisone injections are often effective in treating bursitis, while stretching and strengthening exercises can help combat tendonitis symptoms.
What Causes Tendonitis?
In many instances, tendonitis occurs as a result of a sudden, acute injury. The most common cause of tendonitis is gradual wear-and-tear and minor injuries that accumulate over time. Doctors refer to this as “repetitive stress” or simply “overuse.”
Tendonitis isn’t exclusive to elite athletes and physical laborers; it can result from mundane tasks such as painting, typing on a keyboard, and improper body positioning while doing pretty much anything that puts stress on your tendons. While the causes vary, tendonitis treatment is typically simple and noninvasive.
What Causes Bursitis?
Bursitis differs from tendonitis because it involves inflammation of your body’s bursa sacs, as opposed to the tendons. Like tendonitis, bursitis can be caused by overuse of certain structures in your body. However, unlike tendonitis, bursitis can also be caused by other diseases such as kidney disease, blood disease, gout, and pseudogout.
Can You Have Bursitis and Tendonitis at the Same Time?
Yes, it is possible to experience bursitis and tendonitis at the same time, especially in areas where tendons and bursae are close to each other. For instance, repetitive activities or injuries in the shoulder can lead to both tendinitis and bursitis, resulting in compounded symptoms like pain, swelling, and restricted movement.
Common Symptoms of Tendonitis & Bursitis
Recognizing the signs of tendinitis/bursitis is the first step toward effective treatment.
- Pain and tenderness: Felt directly over the tendon or bursa and might intensify with movement.
- Swelling: Inflammation often leads to visible swelling and redness, particularly in areas like the knee or elbow.
- Redness and warmth: These symptoms can occur as the body increases blood flow to the affected area to ease pain and speed up healing.
- Loss of motion: In some cases, both conditions can cause a decrease in the range of motion of the surrounding joints.
- Stiffness After Inactivity: Prolonged periods of rest may increase stiffness, which is common in both tendinitis and bursitis.
You may notice that your pain and swelling intensify after overuse or repeated physical activity involving the affected body part(s). Pain is the main symptom associated with tendonitis and bursitis, and while these conditions often occur near joints in your body, they should not be confused with arthritis, which affects the joints directly.
When to Seek a Doctor
It’s important to consult a doctor if bursitis or tendonitis symptoms persist despite rest or over-the-counter treatments. Chronic pain, recurring inflammation, or limited mobility could indicate more severe issues requiring medical intervention. It’s important that you consult with a healthcare provider who specializes in these conditions to get a reliable diagnosis and effective tendonitis and bursitis treatment solutions.
How Are Tendonitis and Bursitis Diagnosed?
At ARBDA, our specialists will perform a physical exam and review your medical history to develop an accurate diagnosis. These conditions are usually diagnosed without the assistance of tests such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasound. However, if your condition worsens over time, or does not improve, your doctor may recommend imaging tests.
Based on the diagnosis, our doctors provide liberating tendonitis treatments and extensive options for bursitis relief.
Tendonitis & Bursitis Treatments
Tendonitis treatments and bursitis treatments often differ from one another, but your options depend mostly on the cause of the condition. In many cases, patients must simply cease the activities that are causing too much stress to the tendons or bursas.
Cortisone injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation quickly and effectively. For less severe cases, physical therapists may be involved in designing a customized plan that includes exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles and increase flexibility.
Our New Jersey doctors provide advice and helpful information to reduce pain, or they may suggest some form of ergonomic support to assist you while working. Additionally, other tendonitis and bursitis treatments include rest, icing the affected area, and anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen. Surgery is a last resort.
Exercises and Prevention
To prevent the onset or exacerbation of tendonitis and bursitis, engaging in regular stretching and strengthening exercises is key.
- Stretching exercises: These help maintain flexibility in the joints and tendons, reducing the risk of injuries and inflammation.
- Strengthening exercises: By strengthening the muscles around the joints, the stress on tendons and bursae is minimized, which can prevent tendonitis and bursitis.
Find Your Path to Relief with ARBDA
At ARBDA, we understand the impact that tendonitis and bursitis can have on your life. That’s why our dedicated team of specialists is here to help guide you on your path to recovery. With a focus on comprehensive care, we employ the latest diagnostic tools and treatment plans so you receive the most effective care possible.
Meet with our team at one of our New Jersey offices for more information about what causes bursitis and tendonitis, treatment options, and how to keep these conditions under control. We also provide polymyalgia rheumatica treatment, and we have psoriatic arthritis doctors in house, along with many other specialists! Trust us to help you achieve better health and a more active, pain-free life.