What Is It?
Many people will have heard of tennis elbow, golfers elbow or tendonitis. These are all tendon related issues and can affect not just the elbows, but also the hips, knees Achilles tendon around the ankle and even the small tendons in and around the shoulder.
Our understanding of how to treat tendon problems has evolved enormously over the last 10 years. The historical view of tendon problems was one of inflammation of the tendons hence why the term tendon-itis was used, the ‘itis’ meaning inflammation. Research has now shown us that most tendon issues relate to general damage caused over repeated activities in the tendons. These activities are usually something the body is not quite adapted for such as vigorous DIY or specific conditions such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, where pain is situated around the tendons either side of the elbow and aggravated by gripping activities and lifting activities.Â
Assessment and Treatment
As our understanding of the underlying cause of the pain and problem has improved so too has our treatment of them. The use of treatments like corticosteroid injections are now actively discouraged with research showing that injections worsen the symptoms when looked at over six month or 12-month period.Â
There is an increasing body of evidence showing that well targeted physiotherapy strengthening exercises, including progressive load and stretches, can have sustained and significant long-term benefit to all tendon problems. Our specialist musculoskeletal physiotherapists are trained to deliver targeted treatments and rehab plans to any level of tendonitis or tendon related problem.
Rather than taking huge amounts of painkillers, anti-inflammatories or using out of date treatment approaches, if you are suffering with a tendon related problem it would be a great idea to see one of our specialist physiotherapists. We can help get you on the right track.
