Tendinopathy

A tendon is a strong band of tissue that connects muscle to bone. Tendons help to move your joints when a muscle contracts. A joint is where 2 bones meet, such as the knee. Tendons also help give stability to a joint. A common example of a tendon is the Achilles tendon on the back of the lower leg.

Tendinopathy is the term used to describe an overuse injury to the tendon. This could be due to repetitive activities, such as sustained use of a screwdriver. Sometimes it can be due to starting a new sport or activity where the tendon is not yet strong enough to tolerate it. In older people, it may be due to age-related changes of the tendon.

• Pain.
• Swelling.
• Reduced function of the tendon.
• Stiffness.
• Tendon thickening.

Certain factors may affect the health of the tendon and limit how well it is able to heal.

These include:

• Obesity.
• Diabetes.
• Menopause.
• Inflammatory conditions.
• Older age.
• Work/sport demands.

Tendons respond relatively slowly to treatment. How quickly they improve will depend on many factors, including those listed above. Every case is different, but in general, most simple tendon problems will improve over a 12 week period. However, some cases can take several months to respond. You may have flare ups of your pain with good and bad days but it is important to not give up on your treatment plan too soon. Consistency and patience are essential to give you the best chance of a full recovery.

Tendons respond to being worked and exercised. Normally, they have a range of work that they can tolerate. When injured that tolerance reduces, so the aim is to increase your tendon’s work tolerance back to normal. In some cases, it may benefit you to get the tendon even stronger than it was before to reduce future injuries.

• Pain medications, discuss this with your GP.
• Education on tendinopathies.
• Changing or stopping activities that make your symptoms worse.
• Rest periods.
• Using insoles or orthotics.
• Using ice or heat.