Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?

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Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?

by T
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

In the last few years I have been diagnosed with tendonitis, tenosynovitis, and tendonopathy in my feet, wrists, thumbs, shoulders, and also as having shinsplints.

I have similar types of pains in my elbows and ankles.

I have been told that it is all coincidental and have done the route of physio, NSAIDs, etc. but every year new pains occur.

Are there any underlying medical reasons for tendonitis in multiple joints?

----

Joshua Answers:

Hello T.

So let me get this right. You have various muscle and tendon pain in multiple locations across your body, and a doctor told you that this was coincidental?

SERIOUSLY? COINCIDENTAL?!? Like, you just HAPPEN to be getting tendon issues and pain dynamic over your entire body and it's just a COINCIDENCE?

WTF???

That doesn't surprise me, but it does blow my mind. Every single time that I hear a story like this.

Your doctor has NO idea what he's talking about.

So, moving onto your question about what can cause a scenario like yours. I have several things to say about that, but first let me ask some questions so I know more and so I'm for sure on the right track.

Questions:

1. Start from the beginning and give me a description of HOW and WHEN this all started.

2. How long has this been going on.

3. Does the pain come and go, or is it constant?

4. Is it joint pain like arthritis, or tendonitis pain, painful tight muscles, etc?

5. Overall health.

6. Age.

7. Activity level. Exercise? Hobbies? Work activities (sitting, standing, lifting, etc?)

8. General description of diet.

9. History of car crash, major or minor injury, etc.

10. Ever taken Levaquin, Cipro, or any other antibiotic in the fluoroquinolne family?

Answer those questions, and we'll go from there.

And in case I wasn't clear, it is NOT normal (nor is it acceptable, in my mind) to be experiencing a pain dynamic like you describe.

Joshua Tucker, B.A., C.M.T.
The Tendonitis Expert
www.TendonitisExpert.com

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Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?

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Dec 18, 2009
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PART 2 - Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?
by: T

You had asked some questions about my multiple joint pains. Below are the answers.

1. Start from the beginning and give me a description of HOW and WHEN this all started.

In general, all problems are worse on the right side, though, in my cases the left side also hurts.

Initial joint problem started 8 years ago. Patella femoral syndrome cause by overprotonation (maybe?).
6 years ago, tendonapathy/cervicle neck strain in my shoulders, caused by poor postural muscles. 5 years ago, tendonitis in only my right thumb (followed by tendonitis in my left about 4 years ago, this is on again off again pain).

I am told it was caused by overuse/job related - different jobs though, I've had the problem at three different jobs. Three years ago, lower back problems. Two years ago tendonitis on the top parts of my feet, caused by overprotonation/overuse/maybe driving.

Around that time, pain in the elbows whenever things were carried. One year ago, tendonitis in my wrist, caused by planting flowers?. More recently, hip pains, and ankle pains. I may have missed some, I can't remember them all anymore.

2. How long has this been going on.

6-8 years

3. Does the pain come and go, or is it constant?

It is on again off again.

4. Is it joint pain like arthritis, or tendonitis pain, painful tight muscles, etc?

I am not sure what the difference is between the two. The doctors have always said it was tendonitis though. Muscles in general are always very tight, especially in my legs.

5. Overall health.

Other than seasonal allergies, no problems.

6. Age.

31

7. Activity level. Exercise? Hobbies? Work activities (sitting, standing, lifting, etc?)

My job tends to have times (7-8 months of the year) with lots of movement, lifting heavy things, walking, hiking, not much sitting etc, long days, there is sometimes elements of repetative movements during those times.

The other 4-5 months my job is more sedentary, a fair bit of computer work, but still standing, walking, lots of stairs, can have a lot of repetition.

I do walk everyday, and go to the gym (less so when I have pain, so this can be infrequent).

Pain may or may not be greater during times when I am more active or not. I have had pain during both active and not active times (possibly more during inactive times??? But I am not sure).

8. General description of diet.

Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (except white rice). Though not a vegetarian I tend not to eat a huge amount of meat or dairy. Organic (unfortified) grain products a lot of the time.

9. History of car crash, major or minor injury, etc.

None.

10. Ever taken Levaquin, Cipro, or any other antibiotic in the fluoroquinolne family?

I am not sure.

Thanks,

T

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Dec 18, 2009
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Submitted by: T

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You had asked some questions about my multiple joint pains. Below are the answers. 1. Start from the beginning and give me a description of HOW and WHEN this all started. In general, all problems are worse on the right side, though, in my cases the left side also hurts. Initial joint problem started 8 years ago. Patella femoral syndrome cause by overprotonation (maybe?). 6 years ago, tendonapathy/cervicle neck strain in my shoulders, caused by poor postural muscles. 5 years ago, tendonitis in only my right thumb (followed by tendonitis in my left about 4 years ago, this is on again off again pain). I am told it was caused by overuse/job related - different jobs though, I've had the problem at three different jobs. Three years ago, lower back problems. Two years ago tendonitis on the top parts of my feet, caused by overprotonation/overuse/maybe driving. Around that time, pain in the elbows whenever things were carried. One year ago, tendonitis in my wrist, caused by planting flowers?. More recently, hip pains, and ankle pains. I may have missed some, I can't remember them all anymore. 2. How long has this been going on. 6-8 years 3. Does the pain come and go, or is it constant? It is on again off again. 4. Is it joint pain like arthritis, or tendonitis pain, painful tight muscles, etc? I am not sure what the difference is between the two. The doctors have always said it was tendonitis though. Muscles in general are always very tight, especially in my legs. 5. Overall health. Other than seasonal allergies, no problems. 6. Age. 31 7. Activity level. Exercise? Hobbies? Work activities (sitting, standing, lifting, etc?) My job tends to have times (7-8 months of the year) with lots of movement, lifting heavy things, walking, hiking, not much sitting etc, long days, there is sometimes elements of repetative movements during those times. The other 4-5 months my job is more sedentary, a fair bit of computer work, but still standing, walking, lots of stairs, can have a lot of repetition. I do walk everyday, and go to the gym (less so when I have pain, so this can be infrequent). Pain may or may not be greater during times when I am more active or not. I have had pain during both active and not active times (possibly more during inactive times??? But I am not sure). 8. General description of diet. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains (except white rice). Though not a vegetarian I tend not to eat a huge amount of meat or dairy. Organic (unfortified) grain products a lot of the time. 9. History of car crash, major or minor injury, etc. None. 10. Ever taken Levaquin, Cipro, or any other antibiotic in the fluoroquinolne family? I am not sure. Thanks, T

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Dec 18, 2009
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PART 3 - Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?
by: The Tendonitis Expert

Joshua Comments:

Hey T. Thanks for all that.

Well, here's what I think.

In general, the amount and location variety of your tendonitis pains points to that you have something going on that is essentially making yoru body/structures 'weak'.

People just don't get that much damage all over. I mean, they can, but matching your symptoms to your activities and other factors just doesn't add up, to me.

So that has me look at overall structural health/intregrity. In other words, I think you are protein deficient and nutrient deficient.

I don't think the intention right now is to 'fix' and injury, so much as bolster your body so it can heal in the first place and withstand further breakdown.

1. Increase your protein intake. By a lot. Let's say, focus seriously on that for two months.

Include pure protein sources like meat, cottage cheese, eggs, etc.

Increase your calorie intake too, such that your body will burn the extra calories and leave you with more usable protein. If you don't eat enough calories, the protein you do it is burnt for fuel.

I eat a lot of coconut oil for this reason. This page will explain part of the reason why. Coconut Oil

Depending on where you live, you can find it bulk at a local health food store, or buy it online.

So eat protein from food sources.

Also protein powder/shakes. Eat a meal, then have a shake an hour later.

One of my favorite brands is NOW pure whey protein isolate. You can find that online or at a local store.

For variety I alternate that with Miracle Whey Protein.

Also, start making and eating Bone Broth as the best Tendon Supplements

2. Supplement with Magnesium for Tendonitis.

Follow the link at the bottom of that page called "Magnesium Dosage" for what kind and how much.

Also, it may be worth your while to get some Magnesium Oil from Mercola. It's the best and cheapest source I've yet seen.

So all that's a lot. Let's start there.

More questions, more answers.

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Dec 18, 2009
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Submitted by: The Tendonitis Expert

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Comment
Joshua Comments: Hey T. Thanks for all that. Well, here's what I think. In general, the amount and location variety of your tendonitis pains points to that you have something going on that is essentially making yoru body/structures 'weak'. People just don't get that much damage all over. I mean, they can, but matching your symptoms to your activities and other factors just doesn't add up, to me. So that has me look at overall structural health/intregrity. In other words, I think you are protein deficient and nutrient deficient. I don't think the intention right now is to 'fix' and injury, so much as bolster your body so it can heal in the first place and withstand further breakdown. 1. Increase your protein intake. By a lot. Let's say, focus seriously on that for two months. Include pure protein sources like meat, cottage cheese, eggs, etc. Increase your calorie intake too, such that your body will burn the extra calories and leave you with more usable protein. If you don't eat enough calories, the protein you do it is burnt for fuel. I eat a lot of coconut oil for this reason. This page will explain part of the reason why. <a href="http://products.mercola.com/coconut-oil/?aid=CD461">Coconut Oil</a> Depending on where you live, you can find it bulk at a local health food store, or buy it online. So eat protein from food sources. Also protein powder/shakes. Eat a meal, then have a shake an hour later. One of my favorite brands is NOW pure whey protein isolate. You can find that online or at a local store. For variety I alternate that with <a href="http://proteinpowder.mercola.com/Miracle-Whey-Protein.html">Miracle Whey Protein</a>. Also, start making and eating <a href="http://www.tendonitisexpert.com/tendon-supplements.html">Bone Broth as the best Tendon Supplements</a> 2. Supplement with <a href="http://www.tendonitisexpert.com/magnesium-for-tendonitis.html">Magnesium for Tendonitis</a>. Follow the link at the bottom of that page called "Magnesium Dosage" for what kind and how much. Also, it may be worth your while to get some <a href="http://products.mercola.com/magnesium-oil/?aid=CD461">Magnesium Oil from Mercola.</a> It's the best and cheapest source I've yet seen. So all that's a lot. Let's start there. More questions, more answers.

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Feb 10, 2010
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Another Possible Reason
by: Anonymous

Body-wide tendonitis/tendosynovitis is also common with the connective tissue disease Ehlers-danlos syndrome. It is a rare hereditary defect in the collagen formation. There are several types and it is usually autosomal dominant meaning one parent has a 50% chance of passing it to their child.

It is usually present with hypermobility of the joints. However, in the same family it can effect people in varying degrees. There is a large percentage of collagen in the body so this condition can be quite painful.

Eventually the tendons/ligaments get loose and muscles stay rigid as the connective tissue is not doing its job of holding the joints together.

Some people also have skin strechiness or a doughy consistency or brusing easily. My sister has doughy, strechy skin and it very hypermobile (can put her legs behind her neck). I on the other hand, only have body-wide joint popping, muscle rigidity, tendon pain, and some joints lock.

They say it's not progressive but most people eventually have to have multiple surgeries to tighten ligaments (shoulders, knees, etc.) www.ednf.org is a great place to start.

----

Joshua Comments:

Thanks for adding that.

I'll add that while Ehlers-Danlos may not be progressive, the way the body works at trying to protect you/compensate for chronic pain equals a progressive Downward Spiral of various mechanical factors that ultimately make pain and such worse.

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Feb 10, 2010
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Submitted by: Anonymous

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Comment
Body-wide tendonitis/tendosynovitis is also common with the connective tissue disease Ehlers-danlos syndrome. It is a rare hereditary defect in the collagen formation. There are several types and it is usually autosomal dominant meaning one parent has a 50% chance of passing it to their child. It is usually present with hypermobility of the joints. However, in the same family it can effect people in varying degrees. There is a large percentage of collagen in the body so this condition can be quite painful. Eventually the tendons/ligaments get loose and muscles stay rigid as the connective tissue is not doing its job of holding the joints together. Some people also have skin strechiness or a doughy consistency or brusing easily. My sister has doughy, strechy skin and it very hypermobile (can put her legs behind her neck). I on the other hand, only have body-wide joint popping, muscle rigidity, tendon pain, and some joints lock. They say it's not progressive but most people eventually have to have multiple surgeries to tighten ligaments (shoulders, knees, etc.) www.ednf.org is a great place to start. ---- Joshua Comments: Thanks for adding that. I'll add that while Ehlers-Danlos may not be progressive, the way the body works at trying to protect you/compensate for chronic pain equals a progressive Downward Spiral of various mechanical factors that ultimately make pain and such worse.

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Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?

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Tenosynovitis and Tendonitis in multiple joints, what can cause this?