Incorrect posture at work or home or poor stretching or conditioning before exercise or playing sports also increases a person's risk. Other risk factors for Tendinitis, include:

DOCTOR recommended reading

Achilles Tendon Problems

What is the Achilles tendon?

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. It is the biggest tendon in the human body and allows you to rise up on your toes and push off while walking or running.

What are common Achilles tendon problems?

The two main problems found in the Achilles tendon are:

Achilles tendinopathy. Achilles tendinopathy refers to one of two conditions:
Achilles tendon tear or rupture. An Achilles tendon can partially tear or completely tear (rupture). While a partial tear may cause mild or no symptoms, a complete rupture causes pain and sudden loss of strength and movement.

Related Tendonitis Terms

patellar, relief, treatment, knee, biceps, de Quervain's, tennis elbow, symptoms

An abnormal or poorly placed bone or joint (such as length differences in your legs or arthritis in a joint) that stresses soft-tissue structures
Stresses from other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout, psoriatic arthritis, thyroid disorders, or unusual medication reactions

Occasionally an infection can cause Tendinitis.

Who Gets Tendinitis?

Anyone can get Tendinitis, but it is more common in adults, especially those over 40 years of age. As tendons age they tolerate less stress, are less elastic, and are easier to tear.

Where Does Tendinitis Occur?

Tendinitis can occur in almost any area of the body where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle. The most common places are:

Base of the thumb
Elbow
Shoulder
Hip
Knee
Achilles tendon

What Are the Symptoms of Tendinitis?

The symptoms of Tendinitis include:

Pain at the site of the tendon and surrounding area. Pain may be a gradual buildup or sudden and severe, especially if calcium deposits are present.
Loss of motion in the shoulder, called "adhesive capsulitis" or frozen shoulder.

How Can I Avoid Tendinitis?

When performing activities:

Take it slow at first. Gradually build up your activity level.
Use limited force and limited repetitions.
Stop if unusual pain occurs. Do something else. Try again later and if pain recurs, stop that activity for the day.

How Is Tendinitis Treated?

Initial treatment includes:

Avoiding activities that aggravate the problem
Resting the injured area
Icing the area the day of the injury
Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicines

If the condition does not improve in a week, see your doctor. You may need more advanced treatments, including:

Corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroids (often called " steroids") are often used because they work quickly to decrease the inflammation and pain.
Physical therapy. This can be very beneficial, especially for a "frozen shoeulder." Physical therapy includes range of motion exercises and splinting (thumb, forearm, bands).
Surgery. This is only rarely needed for severe problems not responding to other treatments.

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Cymbalta is approved for the management of fibromyalgia.

Important Safety Information

Cymbalta^® (duloxetine HCl) is approved for the treatment of depression and generalized anxiety disorder, and for the management of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and fibromyalgia.

What should I talk about with my healthcare provider?

Patients on antidepressants and their families or caregivers should watch for new or worsening depression symptoms, unusual changes in behavior, thoughts of suicide, anxiety, agitation, panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, irritability, hostility, aggressiveness, impulsivity, restlessness, or extreme hyperactivity. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have thoughts of suicide or if any of these symptoms are severe or occur suddenly. Be especially observant within the first few months of antidepressant treatment or whenever there is a change in dose.

You should also know that:

Suicide is a known risk of depression and some other psychiatric disorders.
Antidepressants may increase suicidal thoughts or behaviors in some children, adolescents, and young adults especially within the first few months of treatment or when changing the dose. No increased risk has been shown for adults over age 24, and risk decreased for those over age 65.
All patients starting therapy should be monitored appropriately and observed closely for new or worsening depression symptoms, suicidal thoughts or behavior, or unusual changes in behavior.
Cymbalta^® is not approved for use in patients under age 18.

Who should NOT take Cymbalta?
You should not take Cymbalta if:

You have recently taken a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI)
You have uncontrolled narrow-angle glaucoma (an eye disease)
You are taking Mellaril^® (thioridazine)

What other important information should I discuss with my healthcare provider?
Before starting Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

about all of your medical conditions, including kidney problems, glaucoma, or diabetes
about your alcohol use
if you are taking nonprescription or prescription medicines, including those for migraine, to address a possible life threatening condition
if you are taking NSAID pain relievers, aspirin, or blood thinners. Use with Cymbalta may increase bleeding risk
if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant during therapy, or are breastfeeding an infant

While taking Cymbalta, tell your healthcare provider:

if you have itching, right upper belly pain, dark urine, yellow skin/eyes, or unexplained flu-like symptoms, which may be signs of liver problems. Severe liver problems, sometimes fatal, have been reported
if you have high fever, confusion, and stiff muscles to address a possible life-threatening condition
before stopping Cymbalta or changing your dose
if you experience dizziness or fainting upon standing, especially when first starting Cymbalta or when increasing the dose. Your healthcare provider may periodically check your blood pressure while you are taking Cymbalta

If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare provider before taking Cymbalta.

What are the possible side effects of Cymbalta?

The most common side effect of Cymbalta was nausea. For most people who had it, the nausea was mild to moderate. Other common side effects included dry mouth, sleepiness, constipation, decreased appetite, and, increased sweating. This is not a complete list of side effects.

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