Are you having a tough time with extensor tendonitis, and wondering how you can relieve the pain? We have good news for you, which we are sure will not only excite you but also bring you the solution you are looking for.
Besides, we have several treatment options, which vary depending on the level of the illness and the person’s convenience. We have even better news for you, and this is the fact that the inflammation can be cured completely.
What is Extensor Tendonitis?
You probably think that you could be having extensor tendonitis, but are not sure about it? Well, basically, extensor tendonitis refers to an inflammation that affects the extensor tendons. It is really painful, just like physiotherapy is one any other inflammation, and swell or even appear red.
What are extensor tendons, you may wonder? These refer to the thin tissues that lie between muscles and bones, usually found on feet tops and the back of the hands.
How to treat Extensor Tendonitis
Fortunately for you, you have 8 ways that you can try out to treat the disease. Even though surgery is among the options, it is usually a last option, and one that is very rare.
Now, let’s skip to the different ways that you can treat extensor tendonitis.
1. Use of Painkillers and Anti-Inflammatories
The first thing you should, or have already considered anyway, are painkillers. The worst part about intense pain is that it even hinders you from thinking of other solutions. Therefore, get an ibuprofen or any other effective painkiller to curb the pain.
While using painkillers, you should ensure that you add anti-inflammatories in the equation. Anti-inflammatories will prevent the inflammation from causing further damage, and when taken with painkillers, the pain will subside longer. Also, you are bound to see results using the two drugs together.
The redness, swelling and feeling of heat in the area ceases to cause you discomfort. In most instances, this is enough to finish the illness altogether.
2. Minimizing Intensive Activity
If the extensor tendonitis issue is on your hands and you are a weight lifter or do manual jobs, then you need to take a break. If it has affected your feet and you cycle, run or do other intensive feet activities, then you also need a break. This way, you will have reduced the pressure that the jobs impact on you.
When you feel better, you can resume on the activities. However, you cannot go back to the former intensity yet. You will have to minimize the workouts, both in speed, duration and weight, if weights are involved.
3. Exercising the Affected Area Often
Though workouts are discarded when you have the inflammation, they are not discarded completely. The worst part of the inflammation is that it could prevent the part from moving. On the other hand, the extensor tendons are in areas that are active, so you will suffer having to undertake any task if they are not moving.
Thus, you will need to exercise the parts, though a bit gently, taking them into consideration.
4. Changing Footwear
When extensor tendonitis affects your feet, there is a likelihood that you have been wearing the wrong shoes and footwear. Either the shoes are too tight, or just wrong for the activity you are undertaking. An instance that will help you understand is wearing rigid shoes when running.
For this reason, you will need to change footwear, for the sake of the health of your feet. Wear shoes that allow some breathing space, and more than that, the right shoes for your specific activity. Also, you need shoes that offer support, either through the sole, or by use of additional inserts.
Moreover, you can consider loosening the closure system. This way, your upper foot will not have any pressure weighing on it.
After this, you will minimize the impact of the illness, the pain and, subsequently, facilitate in faster recovery.
5. Using a Walking Shoe
Walking shoes are orthopedic shoes that are specialized in enhancing recovery when one has had a foot injury. They eliminate the movement of the injured foot part, and also prevent the body pressure from adding pressure to the injury.
When using a walking boot, you feel less pain from walking, as the inflammation heals.
6. Use Ice Packs
Another very effective at-home method to treat extensor tendonitis is the use of ice packs. Gently place an ice pack on the upper foot, where the pain, swelling or redness features. Wait for some time, then remove it. Repeat the process again, after a duration.
Ice is a known remedy for pain, and it even minimizes the swelling effect.
7. Physiotherapy
Sometimes the pain that extensor tendonitis cause is too much that you can’t handle remedies that you have to do yourself. There is also the instance that the foot is so swollen that you will need professional attention.
In such instances, physiotherapy is one of the options that you will have towards faster recovery. Since the physiologist is specialized in dealing with such instances, having follow-up clinics for therapy will really be effective with the illness.
8. Surgery
The extensor tendons may be damaged or dislocated by extensor tendonitis. Though the last option, surgery is a solution to this instance. It is a final solution to a damaged and persistent extensor tendonitis challenge.
What causes Extensor Tendonitis?
This is an illness that is associated with the following:
- Wearing the wrong type of shoes to an intensive activity that is footwear-specific.
- Wearing shoes that are too tight for you, and being in them for long.
- Undertaking intensive workouts without taking breaks.
Parting shot
How to treat extensor tendonitis has several ways that you can choose from, you will actually be spoilt for choice. Given the fact that a dedicated procedure will lead to complete healing, most people manage to get themselves out of the situation.
Therefore, if going through the illness, you can easily get through it and out successfully. Also, avoiding instances that led to the illness minimize the risk of reoccurrence.
