What IS Tendonitis?

[Brendelmama]

Everything posted on forums, articles, etc., tout Tendonitis as affecting a joint - either the knees, wrists, shoulder or elbows.

My question: Is it possible for Tendonitis to affect tendons in an area that is NOT a joint?

My situation: compound fracture of the radius/ulna fifteen years ago resulting in plates and screws. Ever since, I have had chronic pain in the tendons, muscles and ligaments. It gets worse with overuse and when the weather turns bad. I just had my first child and the added stress of carrying the baby throughout the day has caused major swelling and incredible pain along the Ulna, right where the top edge of that plate sits (appx 3 inches below the wrist joint.) I have lost much of my hand strength and cannot support the weight of my 9-week old infant for more than a few minutes...

The orthopedic surgeon that handled the emergency surgery (in 1994) warned me that I would always have some pain due to nerve damage, etc, but didn't tell me what to do about it. I hate the son-of-a-jerk-face and wouldn't have asked him any way, but that's beside the point. I've taken measures over the years to keep it in use, stretch well, and tried not to coddle it. This is the first time since the initial incident that I have had this much pain and I'm at a loss... Ice packs and ibuprofen just aren't cutting it...

Any advice you can give will be well-recieved!!!

Thanks!

 

[SuzeeQ]

I'm a PT with more than 20 years experience...so sorry to hear about your problem. There's a couple of your symptoms that are concerning to me:
1. Did the original doctor say what nerve you might have injured? 2. The swelling is suspicious to me, as swelling typically occurs at a joint. Sometimes people with fractures need to have the plates removed because of other problems that develop. Unfortunately, taking the plate out can lead to complications as well. I had a patient who had a compound fracture of the radius. As his bone pushed out of the skin, it traumatized the radial nerve. He seemed to be OK in terms of the nerve damage, but was having some problems with elbow stiffness. His surgeon opened him up and removed the plate, which did help his ROM. Unfortunately, some how in the process, the radial nerve got tweaked and he was left with some pronounced weakness that persists even years later. My advice to you is to find an orthopedist who specializes in the hand (they usually treat up to the elbow). They are experts in dealing with these delicate issues. Once he clears you, find a good PT. They should be able to help you with the weakness, and there are some really great techniques to manage post-trauma scar tissue. One of my favorites is ASTYM. I have performed this technique on many of my post-fractures and it's crazy how much scar tissue can develop throughout the whole forearm and hand. You can check their website and see if there is someone close to you who is certified. If so, that therapist may know of a good doctor to refer you to. Although your case is distressing to you, I believe that with the proper treatment, you should respond. Good luck.