Underlying cause of tendon and ligament problems, and hot vs cold treatment.

paul_a_n_jones_at_hotmail.co.uk
Date: 03/28/05 

Date: 28 Mar 2005 09:50:58 -0800

Can anyone tell me why I should be so much more susceptible to damaging
my tendons and ligaments than anyone else I know of my age. I am 49 and
male. Ever since I was 43 I have had a succession of problems of
moderately painful inflamed tendons and ligaments, starting with
tendons around the shoulder (supraspinatus) after some energetic
back-crawl swimming, followed at various times by tendon and ligament
problems at the ankle, wrist and thumb, and to crown it all tennis
elbow.

Could there be some underlying cause of my susceptibility that all the
doctors and physiotherapists have missed? I lead a gentle lifestyle and
I do swimming for cardiovascular exercise (I now do it gently). As far
as I know my diet is healthy and balanced. Could I actually have a food
intolerance that is upsetting my body chemistry, making me more
susceptible?

My next question is: can anyone resolve the controversy over whether it
is better to use heat treatment (such as hot water bottles) or cold
treatment (such as ice packs) for inflamed tendons and ligaments? I
have been using one or other of these treatments several times a day at
different stages. Some doctors and physiotherapists say that ice packs
should be used for an initial period, and from then onwards heat
treatment. Others say that ice packs should be used throughout. So far
the physiotherapist that preferred ice packs throughout has proved more
successful at curing problems, but I don't know whether of not this
is for this reason or other reasons.

My next question is: does applying Arnica to the area help?

The physiotherapists have at various times tried using frictioning,
ultrasound, acupuncture, electro-interferential treatment, and also
tried prescribing ibuprofen tablets, and applying Arnica to the skin.
These approaches seem to cure me very slowly, but I'm not sure which
ones worked. Does anyone have any more suggestions?

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