What is Tendonitis?
(Tendinitis, Tendinopathy, Tendinosis)
Article by Zoe Russell
Tendinopathy (tendon pathology) describes two conditions that are likely to occur together: tendon inflammation, known as tendonitis or tendonitis,
and tiny tears in the connective tissue in or around the tendon, known as tendinosis.
Tendinopathies are all tendon injuries. Tendon injuries can develop in many different parts of the body. Essentially wherever there is a tendon that attaches
a muscle to a bone.
What is a Tendon Injury?
Tendons are the tough fibres that connect muscle to bone. Most tendon injuries occur near joints, such as the shoulder, elbow, knee, and
ankle. A tendon injury may seem to happen suddenly, but usually, it is the result of many tiny tears to the tendon that have happened over time.
Health professionals may use different terms to describe a tendon injury. You may hear:
- Tendonitis or Tendonitis: This actually means "inflammation of the tendon," but inflammation is rarely the cause of tendon pain.
- Tendinosis: This refers to tiny tears in the tissue in and around the tendon caused by overuse.
Most experts now use the term tendinopathy to include both inflammation and microtears. But many health practitioners and certainly
the general public still prefer to use the term tendonitis out of habit.
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Common Tendinopathies / Tendonitis / Tendinitis / Tendinosis Injuries
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinitis
Adductor Tendinopathy
Bicep Tendonitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cramps
de Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Fibromyalgia
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Golfers Elbow
Muscle Strain
Overuse Injuries
Patella Tendonitis (Tendinopathy)
Peroneal Tendonitis
Pes Anserinus Bursitis & Tendinitis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis
Rotator Cuff Tear
RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Tendonitis
Swimmer's Shoulder
Tennis Elbow
Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
What Causes a Tendinopathy?
Most tendon injuries are the result of gradual wear and tear to the tendon from overuse or ageing. Anyone can have a tendon injury, but people who make
the same motions over and over in their jobs, sports, or daily activities are more likely to damage a tendon.
A tendon injury can happen suddenly or little by little. You are more likely to have a sudden injury if the tendon has been weakened over time.
What are the Symptoms of Tendinopathy?
- Tendinopathy usually causes pain, stiffness, and loss of strength in the affected area.
- The pain may get worse when you use the tendon.
- You may have more pain and stiffness during the night or when you get up in the morning.
- The area may be tender, red, warm, or swollen if there is inflammation.
- You may notice a crunchy sound or feeling when you use the tendon.
- The symptoms of a tendon injury can be a lot like those caused by bursitis.
How is a Tendon Injury Diagnosed?
To diagnose a tendon injury, your doctor or physiotherapist will ask questions about your past health, your symptoms and exercise regime. They'll then
do a physical examination to confirm the diagnosis.
If your symptoms are severe or you do not improve with early treatment, specific diagnostic tests may be requested, such as an ultrasound scan or MRI.
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Tendinopathy Treatment
In most cases, you can start treating a tendon injury at home. To get the best results, start these steps right away:
- Rest the painful area, and avoid any activity that makes the pain worse.
- Apply ice or cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, as often as 2 times an hour, for the first 72 hours. Keep using ice as long as it helps.
- Do gentle range-of-motion exercises and stretching to prevent stiffness.
- Have your biomechanics assessed by a sports physiotherapist or physiotherapist with a special interest in tendinopathies.
- Undertake a tendinopathy-specific exercise program.
- Monitor your exercise load. This is vital!
Persisting tendon injuries are best managed by a sports physiotherapist. Researchers have found that tendon injuries respond differently to muscle injuries
and can take months to solve or leave you vulnerable to persisting tendo pain or tendon ruptures, which usually require surgery.
How to Return to Sport after Tendinopathy
- As soon as you are cleared by your physiotherapist, you can return to your activity but take it easy for a while.
- Don't start at the same level as before your injury. Build back to your previous level slowly, and stop if it hurts.
- Warm up before you exercise, and do some gentle stretching afterwards.
- After the activity, apply ice to prevent pain and swelling.
If these steps don't help, you may require a re-visit to your physiotherapist. It may take weeks or months for a tendon injury to heal. Be patient, and
stick with your treatment. If you start using the injured tendon too soon, it can lead to more damage.
To keep from hurting your tendon again, you may need to make some long-term changes to your activities.
- Try changing your activities or how you do them.
- If exercise caused the problem, check your technique with a coach or sports physiotherapist.
- Always take time to warm up before and stretch after you exercise.
Common Tendinopathy / Tendonitis / Tendonitis Treatment Options
Early Injury Treatment
Avoid the HARM Factors
Acupuncture and Dry Needling
Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment
Scapular Stabilisation Exercises
Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises
Active Foot Posture Correction Exercises
Gait Analysis
Biomechanical Analysis
Eccentric Strengthening
Balance Enhancement Exercises
Proprioception & Balance Exercises
Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises
Medications?
Soft Tissue Massage
Brace or Support
Dry Needling
Electrotherapy & Local Modalities
Heat Packs
Joint Mobilisation Techniques
Kinesiology Tape
Neurodynamics
Prehabilitation
Running Analysis
Strength Exercises
Stretching Exercises
Supportive Taping & Strapping
TENS Machine
Video Analysis
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FAQs about Tendonitis / Tendinitis / Tendinopathy
Common Physiotherapy Treatment Techniques
What is Pain?
Physiotherapy & Exercise
Can Kinesiology Taping Reduce Your Swelling and Bruising?
Heat Packs. Why does heat feel so good?
Rotator Cuff: What is it?
Sports Injury? What to do? When?
What are Growing Pains?
What are the Benefits of a Standing Desk?
What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques?
What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury?
What is a Tendinopathy?
What is a TENS Machine?
What is Chronic Pain?
What is Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy?
What is Nerve Pain?
What is Sports Physiotherapy?
What is the Correct Way to Sit?
What to expect when you visit PhysioWorks?
What's the Benefit of Stretching Exercises?
When is the Best Time for a Pre-Event Massage?
Why Kinesiology Tape Helps Reduce Swelling and Bruising Quicker
Helpful Products for Tendinitis / Tendonitis
Common Tendinopathies
Achilles Tendon Rupture
Achilles Tendonitis / Tendinitis
Adductor Tendinopathy
Bicep Tendonitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Cramps
de Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Fibromyalgia
Gluteal Tendinopathy
Golfers Elbow
Muscle Strain
Overuse Injuries
Patella Tendonitis (Tendinopathy)
Peroneal Tendonitis
Pes Anserinus Bursitis & Tendinitis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rotator Cuff Calcific Tendinitis
Rotator Cuff Tear
RSI - Repetitive Strain Injury
Shoulder Impingement
Shoulder Tendonitis
Swimmer's Shoulder
Tennis Elbow
Tibialis Posterior Tendinopathy
Call PhysioWorks
Book Online
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