TENDINOPATHY

Overview and Facts

Tendinopathy is a failed tendon healing response characterized by random tenocyte proliferation, intracellular tenocyte abnormalities, collagen fiber disruption, and an increase in non – collagenous matrix. 

Tendinopathy causes discomfort, swelling, and decreased function. It is an overuse injury in which the tendon is stressed repeatedly until small tears develop. Typically, the shoulders, wrists, knees, shin, and heels are impacted. The majority of tendinopathy instances will resolve on their own. Because tendinopathy symptoms might be confused with those of other disorders like arthritis or infection, it’s crucial to get medical help if your symptoms don’t improve for a week or two of self-care.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Tendonopathy may cause the following symptoms:

  • muscle weakness
  • pain
  • the skin over the afflicted region may feel heated to the touch
  • swelling
  • stiffness and restricted mobility at the affected joint

If your tendinopathy is severe or persistent, see your doctor. Your symptoms may need specialist medical treatment, including prescribed medicine, or they may be caused by anything other than tendinopathy.

If your concerns haven’t improved for one or 2 weeks of home treatment, or if the injury is severe or incapacitating, see your doctor. The majority of tendinopathy patients heal fully without the need for medical intervention. Painful untreated tendinopathy may, on rare occasions, result in tendon rupture.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

The medical history and physical examination of the patient are used to diagnose tendinopathy.

Long-term discomfort is the most prominent clinical characteristic. Physical examination findings include soreness of the afflicted tendon(s), discomfort with tendon loading, and, on rare occasions, palpable nodular thickening. Tendon pain has long been assumed to be reasonably well localized, implying that damaged tendons would be prominent. On the other hand, tissue abnormalities have lately been linked to broad mechanical hyperalgesia and motor control impairments, indicating that localized pain may be hidden by generalized pain. 

TREATMENT

It is unclear which therapy is the most effective for tendinopathy. That is the conclusion reached by academics after analyzing all published papers on the subject. Traditionally, treatment has centered on anti-inflammatory treatments. Tendinopathy may be treated in a variety of ways, including:

  • bracing, for example, to relieve the tendon
  • weight loss advice, if necessary
  • surgery may be suggested as an option in persistent instances despite proper rehabilitation.
  • injections of corticosteroids if there is accompanying inflammation
  • stretching and strengthening exercises

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