We all have heard of, and many have dealt with, tendinitis. The "itis" part of the word refers to inflammation.  However, it is now felt that there may NOT be inflammation specifically affecting a tendon when pain is experienced and tennis play may need to be reduced or suspended.

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The more accurate term is Tendinosis.  There is chronic degeneration of a tendon which may be related to systemic (whole-body) inflammation, Vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, or abnormalities of calcium, magnesium or phosphorus metabolism.

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Recovering from tendinosis requires patience.  The healing process takes a long time.  Tennis playing time and intensity must be reduced. Therapeutic exercises must include eccentric (lengthening) rather than concentric (shortening) muscular contractions with heavy resistance and slow range of motion.  An anti-inflammatory diet, rich with fruits and vegetables and optimized blood levels of Vitamins D3 and K2 are advised.

 

Appropriate and timely treatment of tendinosis at the beginning of symptoms will be inconvenient, but will preserve tennis playing ability into the future.