SHARES
Tendons are made of strong connective tissue that attaches muscles to bones. Usually injuries and pain in tendons typically arise from repetitive overuse not restricted to people who do a lot of sports.
For the most part, the more common conditions arising from tendon injuries include:
1. tennis elbow
2. plantar fasciitis (heel pain)
3. Achilles tendon pain
4. rotator cuff injury (shoulder pain).
Between 3 to 5 % of the population suffer from tennis elbow and Achilles tendon pain at some point in their lives. They are often very difficult to treat once the condition becomes chronic.
From current research into the nature of tendon injuries, it is more accurate to use the term ‘tendinopathy‘ or ‘tendinosis‘ instead of ‘tendinitis’. Twenty years ago, it was generally accepted that the underlying cause in Achilles and heel pain and other tendon injuries were inflammation and this is why the term ‘tendinitis’.
Current evidence suggests that tendon health science is different from that in most other tissues. It involves something called a ‘failed healing response’. After the tendon tissue breaks down, there is an in-growth of new nerves and blood vessels. However, unfortunately, the in-growth appears to be ineffective in healing the pain and the disease. Therefore tendons in this stage become very weak and painful and are at risk of rupture.
Tendinopathy or Tendon Injuries Indicators
Tendinopathy (pain, swelling, and impaired function in tendons) typically presents with the following pain pattern:
- The pain is usually quite localised to a small area near a joint (i.e. where the tendon is)
- Pain in the morning upon rising or after a period of resting in a stationary position
- The pain improves on warming up, so no pain whilst exercising
- Pain returns after exercise
Treatment of Tendon Injuries
Treat tendinopathy as early as possible to prevent further degeneration of the tendon and to prevent the pain from becoming chronic. Osteopathic treatment particularly addresses excessive muscle tensions that ‘pull’ on the already-strained tendon; and by manually releasing stiff areas in other parts of the body so that the improved overall body alignment will place less strain and load on the involved tendon.
Specific exercises involve eccentric loading which controls lengthening of the muscle-tendon against resistance. These exercises are prescribed and carefully monitored to manage the tendinopathy. Tendon injuries usually take longer to heal than muscle strains and should be managed differently.
If you suspect that your current pain may be due to a tendon overuse injury, take the guesswork out of your problem and seek an assessment from a qualified health care professional. Proper diagnosis and management are crucial in ensuring that tendon pain does not drag on.
Acknowledgment: This article is contributed by The PainFree Clinic 10 Sinaran Drive #09 – 09 Novena Medical Center, Singapore 307506
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by Yashwini Ravindranath
Born & raised in Malaysia, Yashwini earned her M.D. studying in Moscow's Russian National Research Medical University. With an affiliation towards research, all things coffee and the startup ecosystem, she now contributes articles to GetDocSays View all articles by Yashwini Ravindranath.
