FitSugar

Antibiotics Causing Tendon Troubles?

FitSugar — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:00:00 -0700

I thought antibiotics were beneficial in fighting infection, but it looks like some antibiotics may be causing some harm as well. The FDA is forcing companies to put a black box warning on certain antibiotics because they've been found to lead to tendinitis and ruptured tendons. Yikes! Flouroquinolone drugs, the potent class of antibiotics which include Cipro, Levaquin, Avelox, Proquin, Noroxin, Floxin, and other medications are the drugs in question.

The FDA says that if you are currently taking any of these antibiotics and are suffering from tendon pain or inflammation, you should stop usage and contact your doctor. You want to be able to fight infections, but keep your tendons intact, too.

Source

Ligaments and Tendons: What's the Diff?

FitSugar — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 02:30:00 -0800

People often talk about tendons and ligaments as if they are the same thing, but these two types of soft tissue actually perform different functions for the body.

A tendon connects muscle to bone. These tough, yet flexible, bands of fibrous tissue attach to the skeletal muscles that move your bones. Tendons essentially enable one to move since they act as intermediaries between the muscles creating the motion of the bones.

I'd say the most famous tendon is the Achilles tendon (named after the character Brad Pitt played in the movie Troy) which connects the muscles of your calf to your heel. Also, if you watch the tops of your hands while you type, you can see your tendons at work. Pretty cool, huh?

So what's a ligament? If you want to know then read more

Ligaments are similar to tendons, but they connect bone to bone and help to stabilize joints. They are composed mostly of long, stringy collagen fibers creating short bands of tough fibrous connective tissue.

Ligaments are slightly elastic, so they can be stretched to gradually lengthen increasing flexibility. Athletes and dancers stretch their ligaments to make their joints more supple, and to prevent injury.

Here's a cool fact: The term double-jointed refers to people who have more elastic ligaments.

You might have heard of some of the ligaments found in the knee since they often tear, especially the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) when skiing. In fact four ligaments connect the tibia (shin bone) to the femur (thigh bone) to provide structure for the knee.

DrSugar Answers: Running With Tendinitis?

FitSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

DrSugar is in the house and answering your questions.

Hi DrSugar,
I was hoping you could help me with some questions. I am an avid runner and was recently informed that I have tendinitis in both my Achilles tendon as well as in a tendon on the top of my foot (I don't remember which one). Basically, my MD told me there's nothing he can do to help them heal, but I could try wearing a walking cast that only "might" help. I really miss running so I'm in the process of trying to find another doc that will try to help me. Do you know of anything that can help, or can you just give me some info on Achilles tendinitis?
Thanks,
- Pain in the Heel

Injuries like this just stink! To see what the DocSugar has to say about this, just read more.

Achilles tendinitis is a common running- and jumping-related injury that affects the tendon connecting the calf muscles to the heel. The Achilles tendon plays an important role in the mechanics of running; it is the connective tissue that allows us to push off while taking a stride. Scientists have actually measured forces in the Achilles tendon to be 10 times that of the runner’s body weight. Achilles tendinitis is inflammation of the tendon and can be due to a number of common risk factors, including improper running shoes, running on uneven surfaces, overuse, or starting a running regimen too quickly. There is also a tendency for women who wear high heels and suddenly start a jogging routine to develop Achilles tendinitis because high heels reduce the use of the tendon, thus leaving it vulnerable to injury.

Preventing Achilles tendinitis is paramount because recovery from tendinitis can be slow and unsatisfactory for the avid runner, which I think is what you're experiencing. Visiting a doctor, as you did, is important to rule out a more serious injury such as Achilles tendon rupture (a tendon tear). Other treatments that can help include orthotics insoles that elevate the heel and reduce stress on the tendon. Anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, can reduce inflammation in the short term, but are generally not recommended for extended periods. Like you mentioned, walking boots are also a treatment, but are generally reserved for fairly severe injury or impairment since they are very inconvenient to wear. Physical therapy and rehabilitation can also help speed the healing process and prevent future injury. Good luck, and you are right - if your doctor doesn’t help, go and try another.

If you have a question for DrSugar, send me a private message here and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.

How Can I Prevent Shin Splints?

FitSugar — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 03:00:00 -0800

Chances are, if you are a runner, you've experienced the pain of shin splints. It basically refers to the condition called Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome (MTSS).

When you overwork the muscles in the shin, the muscles exert a great amount of force on the shin bones (tibia and fibula) to keep your foot, ankle, and lower leg stable. This excessive force can partially tear the tendons away from the bone (the tibia, which is the one on the inside of your leg). Shin splints aren't caused by running, but rather by the impact force associated with it.

Here are some tips to prevent shin splints.

Before going out for a run, warm up and do some gentle calf stretches, which will prevent injury.
If you are new to running, start off slowly. Too much too soon will cause shin splints or other injuries.
Along the same lines, if you've taken a break from running, gradually work your way up to where you were.

There's plenty more tips, so read more

Avoid running on hard surfaces like concrete whenever you can.
Avoid running on uneven surfaces - it makes your tendons work harder to stay balanced and keep your bones stable.
Avoid running downhill if you can - try running on a diagonal instead of straight down. You can also try doing the grapevine down the hill. Imagine you are Rocky practicing your foot work.
Run with correct posture - don't lean forward or backward as you run, make sure your toes are pointing forward and not out to the sides.
Wear sneakers specifically made for running - they have extra support and shock absorbers.
Your sneakers should fit you well, keeping in mind whether you have high, low, or no arches, or wide or narrow feet.
Get a new pair of sneaks every every 350-550 miles. Use the twist test to see if your kicks have had it.

Fit's Tips: If you are experiencing shin splints, don't run through the pain. You need to rest, apply ice to reduce inflammation, stretch, and rehabilitate your lower legs first. If you choose to run with shin splints, you could further injure yourself.

Here are some great stretches for your shins and calves to help prevent shin splints.

View 4 Photos ›

Tendon repair

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:02:51 -0700

Illustrations

Tendons and muscles

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Definition

Tendon repair is surgical repair of damaged or torn tendons.

Alternative Names

Repair of tendon

Description

Tendon repair can be performed using local anesthesia (the immediate area of the surgery is pain-free), regional anesthesia (the local and surrounding areas are pain-free), or general anesthesia (the patient is unconscious and pain-free). A cut is made over the injured tendon. The damaged or torn ends of the tendon are sewn together.

If the tendon has been injured severely, a tendon graft may be required. In this case, a piece of tendon from the foot or toe, or another part of the body, is often used. If necessary, tendons are reattached to the surrounding connective tissue. The area is examined for injuries to nerves and blood vessels, and the cut is closed.

Indications

The goal of tendon repair is to bring back normal function of joints or surrounding tissues following a tendon laceration.

Risks

Risks for any anesthesia include the following:

Reactions to medications
Problems breathing

Risks for any surgery include the following:

Bleeding
Infection

Additional risks include the following:

Formation of scar tissue which prevents smooth movements
Partial loss of use in the involved joint

Expectations after surgery

Most tendon repairs are successful, allowing full joint use.

Convalescence

Tendon repairs can often be done in an outpatient setting. Hospital stays, if any, are short. Healing, however, can take as long as 6 weeks, during which the injured part may need to be immobilized in a splint or a cast.

Treatment after surgery is often needed, in order to minimize scar tissue and maximize use after repair.

Review Date: 11/2/2006

Reviewed By: Thomas N. Joseph, MD, Private Practice specializing in Orthopaedics, subspecialty Foot and Ankle, Camden Bone & Joint, Camden, SC. Reviewprovided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

A.D.A.M. Copyright

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997-2009 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

adam.com

Source Doc: 1_002970

What's the Deal with: Tendonitis?

FitSugar — Wed, 23 May 2007 13:30:00 -0700

Injuries are a serious bummer, especially when they prevent you from doing the things you love. One common injury is tendonitis, and I bet you already figured out that it involves your tendons, which you remember are those tough, yet flexible bands of tissue connecting muscles to bones. When a tendon becomes inflamed or irritated, that's tendonitis (or sometimes spelled tendinitis).

Symptoms include: tenderness, pain and stiffness in the area, possibly a burning sensation, as well as pain after activities that aggravate the inflamed tendon. There may even be swelling or redness. Tendonitis usually occurs at the thumb, elbow, shoulder, knee, heel (you know Achilles tendonitis) and wrist, but can occur anywhere there is a tendon. Dancers can even experience the injury in their hips.

The most common cause of tendonitis is not surprisingly over-use. Suddenly increasing your level of exercise or learning something new (like playing an instrument) can put strain on and aggravate a tendon. Another major cause of this inflammatory condition is repetitive motions, like clicking a mouse or knitting. You know I preach moderation, and tendonitis is just another reason why moderation is a key component to keeping your body happy.

If you want to know how you can you tell if you have it, then read more

Tendonitis can be tricky to diagnosis since symptoms are similar to arthritis and carpel tunnel syndrome. Talking to your doctor about what your pain feels like, and what causes pain, may help to figure out if you have tendonitis or something else.

Your doctor may recommend getting an X-ray, so he or she can rule out other conditions such as a muscle tear, or a bone fracture. An MRI may also be helpful to look at the soft tissue in that area.

Fit's Tips: If you do have tendonitis, you want to do all you can to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Icing the area helps to reduce swelling and tenderness. I like to fill a bag with a little water and alot of ice, so the cold can distribute evenly over the area.

Rest and immobilization of the affected area is helpful. If you've figured out that certain activity or repetitive motion is causing your tendonitis, as difficult as it may be, you need to give yourself a break from it.

Taking anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen may help to reduce the swelling. Also, physical therapy that stretches and strengthens the muscle and tendon is essential. This can restore the tendon's ability to function properly, improve healing, and prevent future injury.

Source

Tendonitis

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:30:56 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Tendonitis is the inflammation, irritation, and swelling of a tendon. It can occur as a result of injury, overuse, or with aging as the tendon loses elasticity. Any action that places prolonged repetitive strain on the forearm muscles can cause tendonitis. The most common symptom of tendonitis is pain, tenderness, and the increase of pain with movement.

Review Date: 9/26/2006

Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_19632

Tendon vs. ligament

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:28:36 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

A tendon is a fibrous connective tissue which attaches muscle to bone. Tendons may also attach muscles to structures such as the eyeball. A tendon serves to move the bone or structure. A ligament is a fibrous connective tissue which attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.

Review Date: 9/26/2006

Reviewed By: Andrew L. Chen, M.D., M.S., Orthopedist, The Alpine Clinic, Littleton, NH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_19089

Inflamed shoulder tendons

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:41:46 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Tearing and inflammation of the tendons of the shoulder muscles can occur in sports which require the arm to be moved over the head repeatedly as in tennis, pitching, swimming, and lifting weights. Most often the shoulder will heal if a break is taken from the activities that caused the problem and pain. Intermittent ice packs applied to the shoulder and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also help reduce inflammation and pain.

Review Date: 9/21/2006

Reviewed By: Jeffrey Kauffman, MD, Sacramento Knee and Sports Medicine, Sacramento, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_9855

Tendons and muscles

admin — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:37:18 -0700

Back

HEALTH GUIDE REFERENCE FROM A.D.A.M

Tendons connect muscles to their bony origins and insertions.

A.D.A.M. Copyright

adam.com

Source Doc: 2_8956