Patients diagnosed with tendon pain disorders often report:
- A sudden surge in physical activity levels (someone who did too much spring cleaner before chinese new year)
- Adopt new physical activities/movement without adequate conditioning or training (after the pandemic, taking up badminton 3x/week)
- Overloading the tendon: high volume, repetitive movements over a period of time without sufficient rest (renovation: painting the whole house)
- Direct trauma to tendon (fall from the bicycle using the hand to support your fall, or a hard knock at your elbow against the wall)
Identifying the cause of tendinopathy is important for its management.
Risk factors for tendon pain:
Modifiable
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Occupation or social activities that require repetitive use: carpentry, F&B, etc
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Activities that require fast forceful movements like badminton, throwing, competitive swimming
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Surge in housework during festive period
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Medical: Obesity, high cholesterol, diabetes
Non-modifiable
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Traumatic tendon injury
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Structural deformity at the joint, causing tendon compression
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Use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics
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Use of steroids, especially long term or injection(s) performed at the site of pain
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Auto-immune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spondyloarthritis)
