Tendinitis is the inflammation of a tendon, in this case the Achilles tendon,  resulting in mild pain and swelling, to stiffness in the area, to a burning sensation around the entire tendon.  Overuse of the limb is the primary cause of achilles tendinitis, and as a result it is most common in athletes and very active people.  As more strain is placed on the weakened tendon through activity, symptoms will obviously progress.  Due to very common use (walking) and a lack of a good blood supply, achilles tendinitis is a slow healing condition that should be treated as soon as possible.

Tendinitis, however, has more recently been decided to be somewhat of an inaccurate statement.  Across the medical field we are realizing that tendinosis is actually a more correct term to use when describing this condition.  Whether acute or chronic, tendinosis describes a structural pathology of a tendon, where as tendinitis describes an inflammation of a tendon.  While inflammation can indeed occur, it is better to refer to the condition by the cause, not the symptom.  Until it is medically official most doctors will stick to using tendinitis, but do not be surprised if you start hearing -osis more when referring to the Achilles tendon.

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• June 9, 2011
• Yamini Yelamanchi
• Featured, Physical Therapy Terms, Podiatric Terms
• agoura hills physical therapy, agoura hills tendinitis, agoura hills tendinosis, thousand oaks physical therapy, thousand oaks tendinitis, thousand oaks tendinosis