What is Triceps Tendonitis?
Triceps tendon is widely known as a tough, flexible tissue which connects the triceps muscle found at the back of the upper arm to the elbow. Triceps tendon plays an important role as it helps the triceps muscles to straighten the arm.
Frequent stress on the tendon may lead to tiny micro-tears in the tissue. The body will try in making attempt to heal the tears, but sometimes they are produced at a faster rate than the body can repair them. Increase in the number of tears results in pain from inflammation, the tendon becomes weaker, and result in bigger tears in the tissue.
There are some activities that involve frequent extension or hyperextension of the arm and they have been found to stress the triceps examples of such activities are hammering, throwing a baseball, boxing, and or doing gymnastics. This may result in pain at the back of the elbow. When this occurs, the tendon will become inflamed and in some occasions, it will turn to red. As tendonitis aggravates, the outer part of the tendon known as the sheath can thicken or get bigger and become darker red in color. Most of the time, when the tendon becomes a darker shade of red, it is due to the inflammation of the tendon. Sometimes tendinitis can cause tears in the tendon.
Most of the time, triceps tendonitis is caused by excessive use. Triceps tendinitis can also occur with shoulders and problems on the elbow that has caused damage to the area, such as arthritis, muscle tears or dislocation.
Usually, triceps tendinitis can improve with rest. Sometimes medications may be needed to relieve pain.
What are the Causes of Triceps Tendonitis?
Tendinitis is most often caused by recurrent and minor influences on the affected area or more serious, sudden injuries. There are lots of activities which have been found to cause tendonitis such as gardening, raking, and carpentry, cleaning house, shoveling, painting, scrubbing and tennis among others.
Poor posture at home or at work or poor condition before exercising or playing sports also increases the risk for a person. Other risk factors for tendinitis include:
1. Abnormal or bone or wrist that is not well positioned (such as differences in leg length or arthritis in the joint) that emphasize the structure of soft tissues.
2. Other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, thyroid disorders or unusual drug reactions.
3. Excessive use or performing too much too soon when the tendons are not used to a particular movement or to perform a task. Tendinitis is common among "weekend warriors," people who play and practice only on weekends.
4. Infection is also another cause of tendonitis, particularly an infection caused by a cat or dog bite in your hand or in your finger.
What are the Symptoms of Triceps Tendonitis?
Individuals with this condition usually experience pain in the back of the elbow. In less serious cases, patients may experience pain or stiffness in the elbow which increases with the rest after activities requiring strong or repeated contraction of the triceps muscle. These activities may include the performance of push-ups, bench presses, repeat hammer use or excessive punching for example boxing.
In the most serious cases, patients may experience pain that increases with more intense pain and activity. Sometimes patients may notice swelling in the back of the elbow and experience weakness when trying to level the elbow against resistance and pain or tightness when stretching the triceps. An increase in pain can also occur when the affected triceps tendon is touched firmly.
Triceps Tendonitis Treatment
Treatment for Jumper's Knee requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your arm. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your arm to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Tendon and Ligament Poultice
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
