Treatments for Tendonitis

Tendonitis is a common condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of tendons. Tendons are tough, fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bones and play a crucial role in movement and joint stability. When tendons become inflamed due to overuse, injury, or aging, it can result in pain, swelling, and reduced mobility in the affected area. While various therapeutic options exist for tendonitis, advancements in medical technology, especially in the field of Ultrasound-Guided Injectable Therapies, have redefined the management of tendonitis.

Understanding Tendonitis and Its Causes

Tendonitis can affect different areas of the body, such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle. It often arises due to repetitive movements, excessive strain, or sudden injuries. Sports activities, manual labor, and certain medical conditions can also contribute to the development of tendonitis. Over time, continuous friction on the tendons can lead to microscopic tears, inflammation, and pain.

Traditional Treatments for Tendonitis

Traditional treatment for tendonitis includes rest, ice, physical therapy, and anti-inflammatory medications. While these methods may provide relief for some patients, they do not address the problem at its root and may not promote long-term healing.

Ultrasound-Guided Injectable Treatments for Tendonitis

Ultrasound-guided injectable therapies have emerged as valuable tools in managing tendonitis, including:

Corticosteroid injection into the tendon sheath: Corticosteroid injection suppresses inflammation around the tendon, providing immediate relief from pain and swelling. Precise administration of these injections is crucial. The injection should target the tendon sheath and not the tendon's interior, as injecting into the tendon's interior may cause damage and rupture. Ultrasound machines ensure the necessary precision by guiding the needle with simultaneous imaging, delivering the medication precisely where it is needed. Thus, the imaging accuracy guarantees that the treatment is even more effective.
Tendon needling (Dry Needling): Tendon needling is a modern, minimally invasive technique involving the puncturing or needling of the tendon. Its purpose is to disrupt the chronic degenerative process, encouraging a therapeutic response in the tendon through local bleeding and fibroblast production. The technique is called Dry Needling to emphasize that the needle placement in the tendon is the primary reason for the tendon's improvement.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injection: PRP injection is a revolutionary treatment for chronic injuries, relying on plasma rich in platelets. Platelets contain growth factors crucial for tissue reproduction and healing. By concentrating platelets in PRP, the goal is to deliver a higher concentration of these factors to the affected area, promoting the healing of the injury. The technique involves drawing a small amount of the patient's blood, centrifuging it to separate the platelet-rich plasma, and then injecting the resulting plasma, guided by ultrasound, into the damaged area. To enhance the therapeutic effect, PRP is often combined with Dry Needling, performed before the plasma injection.

Advantages of Ultrasound-Guided Injections in the Treatment of Tendonitis

Absolute Precision: Ultrasound scan allows Radiologists to accurately locate the inflamed tendon and visualize the needle's position during the injection. This targeted approach ensures precise placement of the injection in the affected area, improving its effectiveness.
Enhanced Healing: PRP injections contain a concentrated mixture of growth factors from the patient's platelets, encouraging the natural healing process of the tendon. This leads to improved tissue regeneration and reduced inflammation over time.
Safety: Compared to blind injections without ultrasound guidance, real-time imaging allows the doctor to perform the injection exactly where it is needed, avoiding risky areas such as nerves and vessels.
Patient-Friendly: Ultrasound-guided injection therapies are well-tolerated by patients and do not cause further discomfort, providing relief from pain.

Clinical Applications

Ultrasound-guided injections can address both acute and chronic cases of tendonitis, including various types of tendonitis such as:

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow): Affecting the tendons on the outer side of the elbow, often caused by repetitive wrist and forearm movements.
Medial Epicondylitis (Golfer’s Elbow): Affecting the tendons on the inner side of the elbow, usually caused by repetitive bending of the wrist and rotation of the forearm.

Ultrasound-guided injections have redefined the treatment of tendonitis, offering safety, precision, enhanced healing capabilities, reduced side effects, and immediate relief. Ultrasound continues to evolve, providing advanced and effective solutions for the management of tendonitis and other orthopedic conditions. The choice of the ideal medical approach depends on the details of each case, the patient's needs, and the expertise of the Radiologist.

Testimonials

An excellent scientist with advanced knowledge, capable of diagnosing damage caused by rheumatic diseases and thus contributing to their effective treatment. I hope there are more scientists like her so that patients can continue to enjoy a good quality of life, as these diseases are incurable.

Alexia S.
I visited Ms. Plagou for a health problem I had with my right Achilles tendon. I congratulate her for her scientific expertise and her unique approach with patients. I thank her very much, and she deserves many congratulations, as do her polite associates.

Nestoras N.
As a surgeon I must simply say, UNBELIEVABLE!! Within 15 minutes I was completely rid of the intense discomfort in my shoulder that had been bothering me for several years. My shoulder feels as it was 10 years ago. Zero pain, incredibly free movement. Congratulations, Mrs. Plagou.

Dr. Dimitrios Alexopoulos
I would like to express my gratitude to Dr. Athena Plagou. With the Barbotage method she applied, she relieved me from terrible pains I had been suffering from for several months due to calcifications in my shoulder.

Before I learned about Dr. Plagou, I had tried cortisone injections, hyaluronic acid injections, and anti-inflammatory medications. Unfortunately, nothing yielded results.

I underwent the Βarbotage procedure in her clinic, very easily and painlessly. When it was over, I had stopped feeling any pain, and it has been three years since then without the slightest discomfort.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Mary P.
State-of-the-art clinic and equipment, exceptional doctor with extensive experience and impressive specialization.

Eirini D.
Ms. Plagou is an excellent scientist with accurate diagnoses, distinguished in her field, and an exceptional person at the same time. She deserves congratulations!

Dr. Chrysovalantou Souhlaki
I had been suffering from Calcific Tendonitis in my left shoulder for over three months, resulting in severe pain. Before I learned about Ms. Plagou, I had tried anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, physiotherapy, all without success, and I was on the verge of serious surgery with doubtful outcomes.

I underwent Barbotage in her clinic very easily, quickly, and painlessly. As soon as the brief procedure was over, my pain ceased, I slept well, and I quickly resumed all my activities.

I want to thank Ms. Plagou both for the impeccable handling of my problem stemming from her excellent scientific training, as well as for her kindness and friendly demeanor.

Zoe K.
I am very grateful to Dr. Athena Plagou. With her high specialization and professionalism, she accurately diagnosed and successfully treated the tendonitis I suffered from in both of my shoulders.

Other specialists I had consulted previously had suggested arthroscopy, which I did not want to undergo due to my age (86) and because the treatment was not guaranteed.

With the special method used by Dr. Plagou, the fluid causing the pain was absorbed, and the pain was immediately relieved without recurrence for the past four months. Besides her high specialization and effectiveness, Dr. Plagou is also very friendly and fully explains to patients the cause of the problem and the treatment process. Her assistant is also very friendly and efficient. Sincere thanks again.

Nikos K.
Her experience, her thoroughness and her love for what she does make her one of a kind. My daughter suffered for months with pain in her wrist. Having visited several orthopedists, having done magnetic resonance imaging and x-rays, only Mrs. Plagou found that she had fluid in her wrist and referred us to a pediatric rheumatologist.

I recommend her. Her assistant is also extremely helpful and kind.

Katerina A.
I want to publicly thank my colleague Athena Plagou for her immediate and effective intervention to treat the problem in my shoulder. The Barbotage method she applied, and in which she is specialized, quickly relieved me from the painful symptoms of Calcific Tendonitis. The return to my daily routine was immediate.

Dr. Vicky Bizimi