A medical expert has warned that the most common treatments for tendonitis, such as complete rest and taking anti-inflammatory medication, are completely ineffective.
Doctor Jean-Marc Sène said the condition is widely misunderstood by the public, partly because of its medical name. Speaking on the French television network TF1 during the Bonjour! La Matinale broadcast, he explained that the suffix "itis" usually indicates an infection or an inflammation.
However, a painful tendon involves neither of these immune responses. Tendons are the thick cords of tough, fibrous connective tissue that attach muscles to bones throughout the body. They are built to withstand heavy tension and transmit the mechanical force of muscle contraction to the skeleton, allowing joints to move.
Sène explained that the pain associated with tendonitis actually comes from mechanical wear and tear on this tissue, rather than an active inflammatory reaction. Because there is no inflammation to reduce, taking anti-inflammatory drugs serves no medical purpose. He warned that keeping the affected limb completely immobilized in an attempt to rest it can actually worsen the physical condition of the tendon.
Rehabilitation and recovery times
The correct medical response is to adapt your physical activity rather than stopping it entirely. Sène advised patients to modify the specific physical movements that cause them pain and to reduce the overall intensity of their physical efforts.
He said the primary focus of treatment should be on targeted rehabilitation of the affected area. It is this progressive, controlled physical stress placed upon the tendon that encourages the tissue to strengthen and repair itself.
Sène added that patients must be prepared to be patient during the recovery process. The physical damage cannot be repaired in a matter of days. He said it typically takes several weeks or even several months for the injured tendon to regenerate fully and regain its normal function.
The condition is a frequent complaint among athletes and people who exercise regularly. It commonly affects participants across a wide variety of physical activities, ranging from running to water polo.
