Exploring Different Types of Treatment for Tendon Strain

By Tom Nicholson

Sports injuries are the most common activities that may cause tendon strain. The Achilles tendon that connects the calf muscles to the anklebone are often injured by those who play basketball.

Generally, this injury is treatable by resting the area and occasional applications of ice pack. To help prevent swelling and relieve pain this area is generally wrapped securely, but not overly tight. You can also relieve pain and swelling by elevating the area while resting.

Injury from repetitive action can sometimes overstretch the tendon too quickly, while putting too much stress on the area. One instance may include that of a weightlifter working the tendon daily without paying attention to the warnings of pain. When the body needs to rest and repair itself, it will send out painful warnings. Tendon strain prevention is conditioning the body for such strain beforehand. This is the reason, stretching is essential even for professional dancers before a rehearsal or performance.

When there is pain and the loss of motion, tendon injury or strain is easy to diagnose. However, further testing may be essential. These tests may include the use of an MRI, x-rays or ultrasound tests. For such a condition as physician may prescribe NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

After healing from surgery, through care is essential. A surgeon may suggest the stretching and strengthening with a daily exercise regimen for the injured muscles. Most often, exercises are done while in warm water to help prevent re-injuring the area. Sometimes you may need to visit a physical therapist to help ensure the proper maneuvers of such exercises. Therapy may involve more than just exercises. Depending on the cause of the injury, the use of soft tissue massages, stretching, running and gait re-education, or ultrasound therapy may be necessary. Various types of splints may be necessary or even the use of cortisone injections or perhaps a medicine for numbing the area may be required.

Physical therapy may comprise of strengthening exercises, ultrasound therapy, soft-tissue massage/mobilization, and stretching and also gait or running re-education. If the tendon strain was done to the Achilles tendon, the surgeon or doctor treating the patient may order appropriate shoes that properly fit your personal foot type. Also, the appropriate shoes may have to actually fit the particular activity. For example, running shoes are different from those used to play basketball. Having the appropriate shoe will prevent recurrence of the condition sometimes. Tendon strain accounts for as high as 50% of sports injuries, thus it may be very important to prevent them from happening.

Golfers elbow or tennis elbow is two examples of sports injuries, which occur by the misuse of the sporting equipment. The treatment for tendon strain is the same regardless of the type of sports that one may enjoy.

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