is there a correlation between TRT and tendonitis

[DreDay187]

I see your point....but are you saying that testosterone DIRECTLY increases the strength of tendons?

No I'm not saying that it's necessarily a direct cause and effect relationship but tendons and ligaments will get stronger in direct proportion to muscles but at a slower rate. They are responding to the same stimulus ie training. You don't jump under he bar and try to squat 800lbs without your body having adapted to it through previous training and strength increases in both muscle and tendons/ligaments.

My main point when I began this was just to point out that tendons do indeed get stronger with more weight on the bar. Not as fast as muscles but they do. Proper programming of your training will mitigate this issue though as will proper form. Form and training are the reason for most injuries of this nature, not quick strength increases. It's not like you start injecting test and you're adding 10bs to your max the next workout.

 

[DreDay187]

** About Steroids

Read this ^

*Since the increase of muscle mass associated with steroids is not accompanied by a corresponding increase in tendon or ligament or joint size or strength, the risk of serious injury is increased. This may be the No. 1 problem associated with anabolic steroid use.

^^^ I'm confused, you're talking about a TRT population but the article is talking about steroid abusers, which group are we talking about?

Furthermore, it's an association not cause/effect. You asked if test directly increases tendon strength but you didn't ask if it directly weakens it. They're not saying that tendons don't grow or AAS weakens them, they're saying tendons don't grow as fast as muscle which could leave you in a position to get inunjfed more easily. That's very different than saying tendons don't get stronger or that test weakens tendon strength.

 

[willnorthwest]

Dre.....you said yourself that tendons do get stronger, just not at the same rate as muscular tissue. Well, if your getting stronger muscularly, but your tendons are not strengthening at the same pace, then you can ultimately end up lifting more weight than your tendons can bear. This can result in the type of tendonitis that op was inquiring about. I know that personally, I have become stronger because of trt. And when I feel strong, I want to see what I can do in the gym. This had led to me lifting weights that my joints and tendons have never been accustomed to. The result has, on occasion, led to over use and strain on my tendons. I guess what we both agree on, is that tendon and ligament strength has to be earned, whereas muscular strength can come in the form of a syringe.

 

[willnorthwest]

Also, no need to be confused dre. I said in my original post that "Whereas this effect is more pronounced in individuals taking supra-physiological amounts of testosterone and other anabolic steroids, I firmly believe that this effect can happen within the realm of trt. I am on trt, and I have noticed this myself."
Trt IS anabolic steroid use dre. We are injecting exogenous testosterone, albeit on a much lesser scale.

 

[DreDay187]

Dre.....you said yourself that tendons do get stronger, just not at the same rate as muscular tissue.

True and I stand by the statement.

Well, if your getting stronger muscularly, but your tendons are not strengthening at the same pace, then you can ultimately end up lifting more weight than your tendons can bear.

I've never said they grow at the same rate, I'm trying to say that they do grow though.

Also, what you are describing in the above quote is typical of steroid ABUSE not THERAPY (TRT).

This can result in the type of tendonitis that op was inquiring about. I know that personally, I have become stronger because of trt.

I admit it's semantics but TRT will only get you so strong on its own. By that I mean studies show people can gain strength when jumping on TRT without even lifting. But these are minimal strength gains and won't affect your tendons like you're talking about. TRT is giving you the ability to get stronger (semantics) but it's your training that's doing it.

And when I feel strong, I want to see what I can do in the gym. This had led to me lifting weights that my joints and tendons have never been accustomed to. The result has, on occasion, led to over use and strain on my tendons.

Please don't take offense to this as that's not my intent but with what you said here it's evident you lift not train. Training is methodical and with a purpose. Training doesn't involve showing yourself what you can do in the gym just bc.

The minimal strength increases TRT actually gave you didn't injure your tendons...it was your idea to see what you could do. Which implies you pushed yourself which then implies you lifted with high intensity and weights which then implies your form deteriorated etc etc etc. How is TRT to blame here? In your case it only allows you to progress like other healthy (eugonadal) males it didn't put weight on the bar directly besides the first few marginal increases.

Once again though you're using the study to back your claim but the study was done on steroid abusers not steroid patients. Apples to oranges comparison.

I guess what we both agree on, is that tendon and ligament strength has to be earned, whereas muscular strength can come in the form of a syringe.

Semantics again and I apologize I'm so nit-picky (a common problem of mine) but see above for strength in a syringe. Is only minimal and acute. It goes away pretty quickly.

 

[DreDay187]

Also, no need to be confused dre. I said in my original post that "Whereas this effect is more pronounced in individuals taking supra-physiological amounts of testosterone and other anabolic steroids, I firmly believe that this effect can happen within the realm of trt. I am on trt, and I have noticed this myself."
Trt IS anabolic steroid use dre. We are injecting exogenous testosterone, albeit on a much lesser scale.

I forgot about the part in your other post my bad.

TRT is anabolic steroid use but it's not ABUSE. There's a huge difference between the two and results from one group don't always show in the other.

 

[Soybean70]

If its all your tendons, im betting your using too much AI(low e2)

 

[bigben34]

If its all your tendons, im betting your using too much AI(low e2)

What makes you say that?

 

[pmd]

The tendinitis is basically in my forearms, top and bottom and biceps. My left arm specially, I am a righty. However my left arm bicep has nagged me most of my life. I think its due to a shoulder injury.
But I have pronounced tightness in all my muscles. I used to do martial arts and I am very flexible, however I have noticed a reduction in flexibility in my legs, specially my hamstrings. Luckily my hamstring tear/strain is type 1 so I am back to doing some light leg work.

 

[bigben34]

The tendinitis is basically in my forearms, top and bottom and biceps. My left arm specially, I am a righty. However my left arm bicep has nagged me most of my life. I think its due to a shoulder injury.
But I have pronounced tightness in all my muscles. I used to do martial arts and I am very flexible, however I have noticed a reduction in flexibility in my legs, specially my hamstrings. Luckily my hamstring tear/strain is type 1 so I am back to doing some light leg work.

I believe there is also a link between elevated E2 and inflamation response in the body. Did you retest your E2 levels yet?

 

[pmd]

Just to follow up on this thread. My E2 tested normal and I am still battling with tendonitis. After a couple of months of training and built in rest periods it has started to subside, although naggingly slow.

My right arm, shoulder area exhibits little to no signs of tendonitis and it difficult to palpate any particular trigger point.
My left side I have obvious tender spots. I have used RICE therapy, along with massage, stretching and ibuprofen.
I am currently taking a break from training. This is my second week. I am pissed.

Doctor seems to think it is over training/strain.

I do have calcification and a minor labrum tear in my left shoulder from years ago, which I believe is the source of the slow recovery of my left side. I also have very tight shoulder girdle area, always have.