Tendinous injuries also cause pain, frustration and are difficult to treat. From sports injuries, repetitive action, overuse or acute injuries, tendon issues can disrupt your normal function. An upside to this kind of injury is that it’s possible to recover by taking proper physiotherapy. This is the complete physiotherapy guide to recovery from tendon injuries.

What Is a Tendon Injury?

Tendons are strong structures made up of connective tissues that help in attaching muscles to bones and assist in joint mobility. They may be strained, torn and irritated by high load and lead to tendinopathy, strains and tears.

Symptoms of these injuries may include pain, tenderness, stiffness, inflammation and pain during movement or exercise. This can occur in different parts of the body such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee and achilles tendon.

How Physiotherapy improves tendon healing.

Physiotherapy aims to improve the mobility, alleviate the symptoms and then restore the strength of the tendon gradually over time. Your physiotherapist will first look at your symptoms, movements, muscle strength and daily activities to then be able to put together a rehabilitation program that is tailored to you.

1.Turning off pain and inflammation.

In the early stages of tendinopathy, physiotherapy might focus on reducing pain and modifying activities which put undue stress on the tendon. You may need to make adjustments to exercise, work or life activities but you should move correctly at the same time.

2. Increasing Flexibility

If there is not enough flexibility, you may have trouble moving around and using the affected area. There are exercises that you can do to maintain or regain flexibility.

3. Gradual Strength Training

Strength training exercises will most likely be an important component of a tendon rehabilitation program. Your physiotherapist may gradually increase the level of resistance and difficulty of the exercises as the tendon becomes increasingly able to cope with the load. The objective is not only to decrease pain but to enable your tendon to cope with daily activities, physical exercises, and sports.

4. Gradual Reintegration to Activities

Exercising before full healing will cause a worsening of symptoms, while prolonged inactivity will lead to a weakening of the affected tissue. Your physiotherapist can provide a gradual return to exercise with the adjustment of the exercise intensity and volume.

How Long Does Tendon Healing Take?

Depending on the nature of the injury, the magnitude of the injury, the location of the injury, your activity level and some other individual factors, it may take some time for the tendons to heal. Tendinopathy may take weeks to heal in some cases while in others, the healing time can be longer.

Consistency is also critical. Exercising based on your prescribed exercises and gradually working up will help in achieving a successful recovery in the long run.

When Should You Visit a Physiotherapist?

Professional help is necessary in case of recurring pain, interfering with your daily routine, causing pain when you exercise, or in case of severe pain, swelling, loss of strength, and injury with a popping sensation.

In case you get the right assessment along with a good rehabilitation program, physiotherapy can definitely help you deal with your tendon pain issues.