Tendonitis occurs when the connective tissue that bonds muscle to bone become inflamed. These injuries are characterized by stiffness in the affected tendon, but may also prove especially painful and sore after physically engaging that area. Additionally, tendonitis may include substantial swelling, as the inflammation can cause a general sensation of burning, reddening of the skin, and, if severe enough, knots. There are a few treatment options, although many physicians prefer conservative approaches.

The standard treatment for tendonitis, like other inflammation problems, is to take time to rest and naturally heal the injury. Using regular application of ice, sufferers can help to bring down the inflammation and soothe some of the pain associated with the injury. Additionally, compression and elevation treatment methods are used to speed up the natural healing process and reduce uncomfortable symptoms. NSAID pain relievers can also be taken to reduce some of the pain involved.

Using these treatment methods, patients may see improvement while recovering at home within the first few days after their injury. However, recovery to a full extent may take between four to six weeks, meaning that employees may require a variable amount of time away from work depending on the kind of physical exertion expected of them.

For more drastic treatment measures, some physicians may opt to use two more intense treatment methods. For chronic tendonitis problems, there is a laser treatment available that can effectively reduce pain, but does not necessarily speed up the healing process. Additionally, there is relatively newer treatment in which blood is injected into the tendon, simulating growth. Although largely unproven compared to traditional treatment methods, it has proven fairly successful in hastening recovery.

To learn more about how repetitive motion injuries deserve the application of workers' compensation benefits, contact the Fayetteville workers' compensation attorneys of Scudder & Hedrick, PLLC, today.