Tendinopathies
What Are Tendinopathies?
One of the most common injuries we see as physiotherapists are tendinopathies. Tendinopathies are chronic overuse injuries of the tendon where the tendon begins to fail, unable to cope or adapt quick enough with the load being asked of it. The tendon is made up of collagen, and these fibres, as well as the matrix of the tendon, fail, the tendon starts to accumulate more water and the structure becomes stiff and painful.
The inflammation associated with tendinopathies is not the acute inflammatory response we see with acute injuries, hence the name tendinopathy rather than tendinitis. (This is also why anti-inflammatory medicine rarely helps).
Tendinoipathy Treatment
The best treatment for tendinopathies involves pain reduction, tendon load management, and strengthening using a gradual tendon loading program.
It is important to understand that tendons do not heal with rest, they get weaker and ultimately the problem becomes worse. They also do not heal if overloaded, again they will become aggravated and then deteriorate. The solution is the promotion of healing by controlled loading (as opposed to complete offloading and rest) and slow, graded, specific tendon loading protocols. Our physios are experts at correctly assessing the current tolerable tendon load and designing an appropriate program to get your tendon healing.
Common tendinopathies:
- Rotator cuff tendinopathies
- Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow
- Gluteal Medius/Minimis Tendinopathy (Trochanteric Pain Syndrome)
- Runner’s knee (iliotibial friction syndrome)
- Patella tendinopathy (jumper’s knee)
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Peroneal Tendinopathy
- Plantarfasciopathy
Our Services
Our expert physiotherapists are trained to assess your tendon problem and determine the cause and contributing factors. We will then provide you with an evidence based treatment and rehabilitation plan to get you moving and functioning your best. The services and types of treatment that may help are:
Physiotherapy
Remedial Massage
Shockwave Therapy
Dry Needling
Taping and bracing
Musculoskeletal screening
