What are tendons?
Tendons are rope like structures that attach a muscle to a bone. When a muscle or bone exerts a force, there is stress on a tendon. When the force is greater than what the tendon can handle, the tendon can sustain cellular damage. If the demand on the tendon is gradual, the muscle/tendon complex can adapt to these loads and build strength. Repetitive activities can injure a tendon on a microscopic level. If the repetitious activity continues, you can accumulate injuries to the tendon, leading to pain. It is important to know the difference between the medical diagnoses of tendinitis and tendinosis. Common injury sites for injury are the Achilles, the shoulder (rotator cuff), and the elbow.
Tendinitis
Refers to ACUTE inflammation of the tendon. The suffix “itis” means inflammation. Pain is associated with the inflammation of the tendon.
Tendinosis
Refers to CHRONIC inflammation of the tendon. Usually the duration of the is injury greater than 2-3 months. The suffix “osis” means pathology of degeneration without inflammation. With this condition there is poor repair and healing of the tendon, and accumulation of microscopic tearing over time. Initially there may be inflammation, but it is the inability of the tendon to repair that causes pain and discomfort.
Tenosynovitis
is another common injury. This refers to inflammation of the connective tissue that makes up the outer layers of the tendons.
Physical Therapy can be beneficial for the above clinical diagnoses. A licensed physical therapist can evaluate, assist in diagnosis, design and carry out a plan of care to help heal and return the tissues to a pain free level of function. A physical therapist can also determine many causes of injury like repetitive overuse activity, poor ergonomic desk setup, weakness, and increased/decreased flexibility of the target and surrounding tissues.
