Case History 33
Tendinitis & Tenosynovitis
Tendinitis is an inflammation of a tendon. Tendons are tough, rubbery cords that link muscles to bones. They help move the bones and joints when the muscles contract. Some tendons are covered with a protective sheath of tissue called synovium. Between the synovium and the tendon is a small amount of fluid. This helps the tendon move easily and prevents friction.
If the sheath surrounding the tendon becomes inflamed, the condition is called tenosynovitis. Tendinitis and tenosynovitis can occur at the same time. Tendinitis injuries are common in the upper and lower limbs.
Diagnosis
Symptoms can vary from aches or pains and local stiffness, to burning that surrounds the whole joint around the inflamed tendon. There may be swelling and redness. Pain is usually worse during and after activity. The tendon and joint area can become stiffer the following day as muscles tighten from the movement of the tendon. Stressful situations may contribute to increase in symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment is largely conservative. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, rest and gradual return to exercise is a common therapy. Rest, Ice, compression and elevation may be recommended. Initial recovery is typically within 2-3 days. Full recovery is within 4 to 6 weeks. More persistent cases of tendonitis may need physiotherapy or shock wave therapy.
Discussion
This is a typical case of tendinitis following what appeared a minor jerk to the shoulder. Over a period of time the tendon had got inflammation which would exacerbate whenever the patient would perform some routine, trivial exertion.
“I was subject to pain in my left shoulder and elbow. Once I had to run and catch a bus. As I was going to climb in, the bus suddenly moved. With all difficulty I managed to pull myself in, but I got a jerk in my left side. After that incident, without any particular reason, my left arm would sometimes start paining severely.”*
Medical treatment yielded no significant nor lasting relief. Even rest through the use of a sling did not help much. It was finally some yoga postures which healed the disease.
“I sometimes even had to use a sling to prevent my arm from hanging, as this increased the pain. Medication prescribed by doctors and balms I applied brought no significant relief. When I spoke to Yoginiji she suggested some postures. Within a week my shoulder and arm were pain free. Never, never again did I have that problem!”*
(*Excerpts from article, Preetam Magazine 4, 2011 P 74-76)
Effects of Yoga
While performing yoga postures the inflow of prana would be directed to the affected parts and heal the inflammation. Yoga postures proved to be the final solution to his recurrent problem.