May also be called: Enthesitis An enthesopathy (en-thuh-SOP-uh-thee) is any disease that affects the places where tendons, ligaments, or muscles attach to bones. More to Know The place where a ligament, tendon, or muscle attaches to a bone is called an enthesis (plural: entheses). Any disorder that causes pain, swelling, irritation, or damage in entheses can be considered an enthesopathy. Common enthesopathies include arthritis (inflammation of the joints), Achilles tendonitis (inflammation of the Achilles tendon), plantar fasciitis (inflammation of connective tissue on the bottom of the foot), and ankylosing spondylitis (inflammation of joints in the spine). Enthesopathies such as arthritis can be short-term — lasting just a few weeks or months, then going away forever — or they can be chronic and last for months or years. In rare cases, they can last a lifetime. Enthesopathies can cause swelling, loss of motion, severe pain, and tenderness at the site of the affected entheses. Treatment for an enthesopathy depends on the condition, but it usually involves medications to treat pain and reduce swelling, and physical therapy to restore use and function of the joints. Keep in Mind Many kinds of enthesopathy, such as tendonitis and fasciitis, may eventually go away, but others can be lifelong conditions. Treatment and physical therapy for enthesopathies can help reduce pain, increase flexibility and range of motion, and lessen the effects of the condition. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles A to Z: Biceps Tendonitis Learn more about biceps tendonitis and how it's treated. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Without bones, muscles, and joints, we couldn't stand, walk, run, or even sit. The musculoskeletal system supports our bodies, protects our organs from injury, and enables movement. Read More Bones, Muscles, and Joints Our bones, muscles, and joints form our musculoskeletal system and enable us to do everyday physical activities. Read More Proximal Biceps Tendonitis In teens, biceps tendonitis is usually an overuse injury that causes tendons in the upper arm to be swollen or irritated. Most cases heal on their own if you follow a few guidelines from your doctor. Read More Word! Tendons For keeping things together, tendons come in handy! Read More Achilles Tendonitis If the tendon just above your heel becomes swollen or irritated due to overuse, it can lead to a painful condition called Achilles tendonitis. Find out how to treat it - and prevent it. Read More Arthritis Kids can get a kind of arthritis that causes joint pain. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA) Learn about juvenile idiopathic arthritis, a specific kind of arthritis that usually occurs in kids and teens younger than 17. Read More Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis In juvenile idiopathic arthritis (also called juvenile rheumatoid arthritis)), a person can develop swollen, warm, and painful joints. Learn more. Read More Word! Arthritis This is what happens when joints - the places where bones meet - get painful, swollen, and stiff. Read More Going to a Physical Therapist Physical therapy uses exercises and other special treatments to help people move their bodies. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Physical Therapy Physical therapy helps people get back to full strength and movement - and manage pain - in key parts of the body after an illness or injury. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.