What is Tendinopathy?
Tendons connect muscle to bone and tendinopathies are irritations these tendons. Tendinopathies used to be referred to as tendinitis and sometimes still are. However, science, as shown us that inflammation, is rarely the main cause of tendon pain even though some inflammatory markers may be present at times.
Tendon issues are common in the foot and ankle. In fact, 24% of athletes and 50% of runners will develop Achilles tendon pain. However, athletes are not the only ones who can develop tendinopathy. Obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes have all been linked to tendinopathies. Other common tendinopathies of the foot and ankle include peroneal, tibialis anterior, and tibialis posterior tendinopathies.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
A physical therapist can help develop a program to gradually restore the capacity of your tendon to withstand the demands of everyday life as well as to achieve your specific goals. There are many misconceptions and mistakes made in trying to manage tendon pain. A few include
- Resting the tendon too much
You may be surprised that your therapist encourages you to stay active. Many patients can continue to perform many of the activities they enjoy.
- Stretching tendons
This can put on due compression onto the tendon
- Using friction massage on the tendon
This too can put undue stress onto the already irritable tendon
- Rushing through rehab
Tendons take time to heal!
- Having needles injected into tendons
Tendons fail to fully heal for years after they have been pierced by a needle
What to expect?
Tendons tend to respond well to conservative treatment and loading programs over time. Gradually recovery over the span of months can be expected and many patients see a reduction in pain or an increase in activity after a few weeks. However, it does take time. Normally 3 months or longer for the tendon to fully recover.
