Persistent tendon pain can change how you play tennis or golf, run, work out, lift, or manage everyday activity.
Dr. Jonathan Gelber can help identify which tendon is involved, why it continues to hurt, and what may help you return to the activities that matter to you.
Tendons connect muscle to bone and handle repeated load. Pain may begin after a sudden increase in activity, a change in technique, repetitive use, or an injury. In longer-lasting cases, the tendon may have degenerative changes rather than active inflammation alone. You may hear this called tendonitis or tendinopathy.
The name matters less than understanding which tendon is involved, how advanced the problem is, and what the tendon needs to tolerate for your activity.
Tendon problems commonly affect the rotator cuff in the shoulder, the elbow, the patellar tendon at the knee, the Achilles tendon, and tendons around the hip.
The same diagnosis can affect people differently. Shoulder pain may interfere with sleep or lifting. Tennis or golfer’s elbow may change a swing or workout. Achilles or patellar tendon pain may limit running, stairs, or hiking.
Dr. Gelber begins with your symptoms, examination, activity goals, and what you have already tried. Ultrasound, X-rays, or MRI may be useful when they help answer a specific question.
The goal is to determine whether the pain is coming from the tendon, whether there is a partial or complete tear, and what is preventing it from handling the activity you want to resume.
For related shoulder symptoms, explore shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears.
Treatment depends on the tendon, the severity of the problem, and your goals. It may include changing how the tendon is loaded, targeted rehabilitation, medication for short-term symptom relief, or an injection when appropriate.
PRP may be considered for selected persistent tendon problems. Other regenerative treatments may have a role in specific situations, including selected rotator cuff tears. Explore regenerative medicine.
Some tendon tears are better treated surgically. As an orthopedic surgeon with regenerative medicine experience, Dr. Gelber can explain when a nonsurgical plan is reasonable and when surgery may offer a better path.
Feeling better does not always mean the tendon is ready for the demands of tennis, golf, running, lifting, or work.
Rehabilitation and reassessment help determine whether you are rebuilding the strength and capacity your activity requires.
The value is more than access to an injection. It is having an orthopedic surgeon determine what is causing the pain, which tissue needs attention, and whether rehabilitation, regenerative treatment, or surgery best fits the problem.
If PRP or another treatment makes sense, Dr. Gelber can explain why. If the better answer is rehabilitation or surgery, he will tell you that too.
Bring your questions, available imaging, and the activities you want to return to. LA Ortho & Wellness serves active adults in Toluca Lake, Studio City, Burbank, North Hollywood, and greater Los Angeles.
Dr. Jonathan Gelber of LA Ortho & Wellness provides comprehensive orthopedics, blending functional and integrative medicine for the LA area.
