Local pain block: tendon and ligament

Tendons and ligaments are common sites of pathological processes that require an injection or a block because of pain and inflammation. Because of the large number of pathological processes and the accessibility and size of tendons and ligaments, the choice of site for the block lies with a specialist physiatrist, rheumatologist or orthopaedic surgeon, who decides after a detailed assessment which medicine is best for you. Conditions such as tendinitis, tendinosis, tenosynovitis, bursitis and various other inflammatory, metabolic and degenerative conditions that occur as part of other diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, reactive arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, crystal arthropathies and others, affect almost all the structures of tendons, ligaments and joints. We would single out tendinitis/tendinosis as the most common condition, one that has an inflammatory as well as a degenerative component. The choice of medicine – a single medicine or a combination – depends on the predominant pathological process and on the indications and contraindications. With the help of ultrasound, various interventional procedures can be carried out, such as injections, blocks, instillations, tendon fenestration, dry needling and acupuncture; various medicines can also be given, such as corticosteroids, anaesthetics, hyaluronic acid, whole blood, stem cells and others.