These are considered when the measures above have not worked and the pain is severe. The cortisone is injected into the area of the inflamed tendons in order to decrease the inflammation. After the shot, most physicians recommend that the patient return to using ice and anti-inflammatory medication. Sometimes the shot is curative and sometimes more than one shot is necessary. Surgery is indicated when all of the above measures have failed over a course of several months and the pain continues to prevent activity.
Most physicians feel that several cortisone shots are indicated before surgery is considered.
In general, surgery is considered an option when all other treatment options have failed and pain continues to be severe and limiting a patients level of activity or function. The procedure that is done depends upon many factors, but there are basically two types of operations. The defect created is sewn back together and allowed to heal. In the second type of operation a portion of tendon is released from the bone and then reattached. In both operations, the patient usually goes home the same day of surgery.