Tendonitis
Tendonitis is the swelling of the fibrous cords that attach your muscles to your bones. This ailment can develop in any area where a tendon connects a bone to a muscle. The areas most affected are shoulders, knees, elbows, hips, base of thumbs, and the Achilles. The swelling and inflammation of these tendons causes severe soreness, pain, and impairment. Depending on the severity of the injury, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to many months to heal Tendonitis. In farm work, this injury often arises from over exertion and uneven handling or lifting. Tendonitis can be prevented by a few proper lifting and movement procedures and proper rest. If you are lifting hay bales and you are aware that your workload is not within your capacity, ask for help. It is better to have a buddy share in some of the lifting, rather than suffer the consequences later. If this type of injury does occur, it is important to take precautionary measures to avoid permanent damage. One of the best things you can do for yourself, is put ice on the injury as soon as possible; this will help keep inflammation down. Another important step to healing tendonitis is proper rest and avoiding repetitive movements in the affected joint. This may prove difficult if you are a busy farmer, but if it is possible at all, it is the best way to avoid a lifetime of chronic pain.
