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Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon caused by overuse and is a common sports injury. Treatment includes anti-inflammatories, ice, pain relievers, and joint support. Prevention includes stretching and gradually increasing activity levels. MSM is being studied for its ability to repair damaged tendons.
Tendons are the connective bands that attach muscles to bone; when the muscles contract, the tendons transmit force to the bone, moving the limb. Tendonitis, also called tendinitis, is a condition in which the tendon is inflamed and painful. It is caused by overuse and because the tendons connect to the joint, it feels like joint pain. This condition is often indistinguishable from bursitis, which is inflammation of the fluid sacs that cushion the joints.
Tendonitis is a common sports injury and can take six weeks to heal properly. Continuing to use the inflamed joint can further damage the tendon, making recovery time longer and more debilitating. The condition can also be a work injury under repetitive stress.
There are different types of treatment for tendonitis, depending on the severity of the strain. Anti-inflammatories relieve both swelling and the pain associated with it. Ice on a sore joint will also reduce tissue swelling, but it can interfere with circulation. Pain relievers address the pain but not the swelling. A topical application of menthol-containing ointments relieves joint pain and has the added benefit of increasing local circulation to the joint, and increased circulation speeds the healing of any injury.
In some cases, depending on the location, joint support such as a sling, brace, or wrap is helpful in allowing the joint to rest sufficiently for the tendon inflammation to heal. A pressure band around the forearm, for example, prevents the muscle from contracting enough to make tennis elbow worse.
Tendonitis is easier to prevent than to cure. A simple preventative measure is to make sure you stretch adequately before working out; Inflammation is much more likely to affect cold, stiff tendons than those that have been gently stretched and allowed to warm up. Individuals should also gradually increase their activity level, which is also helpful in preventing many sports-related injuries.
Methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) is a compound studied for its ability to repair damaged tissue, including tendons. It’s a naturally occurring substance that forms in the ocean and makes its way into the food supply through rainfall that irrigates crops and raw materials. The MSM in the body decreases with age. Studies on its use as a food supplement are underway and the first results are promising.
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