Tendinopathy is an umbrella term used to describe a range of chronic tendon injuries such as tendinitis, tendinosis and tenosynovitis. It has been taken on as a more general term to refer to tendon injuries in recent years.

Tendons are collagenous, rope like structures which attach muscles to bones. When these structures are placed under excess load and stress it can cause damage and degeneration to the tendons. If this increase in demand is gradual and the tendon tissues are given time to heal, over time they will build in strength and adapt to new loads. However, if the activity is repeated regularly without recovery time it can cause microscopic tears in the tendon and lead to a chronic tendon injury.

Tendinopathy can occur in any tendon within the body but is most commonly found in the wrist, elbow, shoulder, knee and heel. These type of injuries will require patience as well as physiotherapy and activity modification to alter the load on the tendon to recover fully as they don’t heal as quickly as muscles.

The Risk Factors of Tendinopathy

There are a number of risk factors that can lead to the development of tendinopathy. The most common factors include repetitive motion, medication, diabetes, body weight and genetics. The warning signs of tendinopathy include burning, stinging, aching and sometimes swelling.

Tendinopathy can result from long hours of repetitive motions and activities such as playing sports, using computers, playing musical instruments and doing manual labor. Many individuals who work in occupations that require repetitive motions to be carried out on a daily basis often develop tendinopathy over time. This is often found in individuals who work in IT, construction, professional athletes, writers and musicians.

Some medications have been found to be linked to tendinopathy. If you have recently started taking new medication and begin to start experiencing pain, stiffness, and loss of strength in a particular area ask your doctor to rule out tendinopathy.

While more research is needed in linking genetic factors to the development of chronic tendon injuries, it has been found that those who are overweight or have diabetes are also at risk. It is advised that by improving diet, controlling blood sugar levels and maintaining optimal body weight can eliminate the risk for these individuals.

How is it Treated?

Initial treatment focuses on the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) principles. Once you feel the onset of pain in the affected area begin by resting and applying ice packs to the area. If after 72 hours, the pain starts getting worse and begins to affect daily activities, go and see your physiotherapist.

Your physiotherapist will first assess your injury, and then decide the most appropriate treatment to manage your pain. This may include soft tissue massage, dry needling, joint mobilisation and taping. If the tendon injury is inflamed, you may be advised to ice the area and take anti-inflammatory medication before physiotherapy treatment can take place. Gentle strengthening and range of motion exercises may be advised and will help to prevent stiffness occurring in the area. Continue these exercises even after the pain has gone to strengthen the muscles around the area. A biomechanical or ergonomic assessment may also be necessary depending on the cause of tendon injury to ensure that it can be prevented from happening again in the future.

For more information on tendinopathy or to book an appointment, contact us here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy Clinic where one of our physiotherapists will determine the cause of your injury and tailor a program specifically for you.