What is tendinopathy?
Your tendons are rope-like structures that connect your bones and muscles. These tissues contain a collagen protein, and when this protein breaks down due to injury, repetitive motions or overuse, it results in tendinopathy. Tendinopathy is a painful condition due to tendon injury. The condition differs from another common tendon condition, known as tendinitis. Tendinopathy occurs because of a degeneration of collagen protein that makes up the tendon, while tendinitis involves inflammation of the tendon.
Tendinopathy can affect any of your tendons but is more common in your:
-
Hamstrings
-
Rotator cuff
-
Patellar (Knee) tendon
-
Achilles tendon
While tendinopathy is a common sports-related injury, it can also occur due to aging. Without proper treatment, this condition can result in tendinitis.
How is tendinopathy diagnosed?
Dr. Waltrous performs a comprehensive review of your medical history and the symptoms you experience to determine the cause of your pain. Often, after a review of your history of the pain and a physical examination, he can determine if your pain relates to a tendon injury.
Dr. Waltrous may offer an on-site diagnostic ultrasound to help with diagnosis. He can get a closer look at the structure of your tendon to determine if your pain is due to tendinopathy or a different cause.
What treatment options are available for tendinopathy?
Because gross inflammation is rarely a factor in tendinopathy, common therapies like steroid injections aren’t effective in long-term treatment, and can potentially worsen the condition. Dr. Waltrous may initially recommend plenty of rest to avoid a worsening of your injury and pain.
For many, physical therapy is highly effective at rebuilding the strength in the muscle supporting your tendons. Dr. Walters may prescribe specific strengthening exercises that research has shown to help improve tendinopathy and help restore normal architecture of the tendon. Range-of-motion exercises can also improve your flexibility and overall functionality.
Dr. Waltrous also provides guidance for preventing your injury from worsening, especially if you play sports that require repetitive motions. He can give you resources to limit your risk for re-injuring the tendon and prevent new tendon-related injuries.
If you have pain surrounding a tendon, don’t delay treatment. Request a consultation online or by phone today at Maryland Sports, Spine and Musculoskeletal Institute.