Tendon Injuries

“Tendon injuries are quite common with occurrences of 7-14 cases per 100,000 people. It affects many each year in areas like the knee, foot, wrist, or shoulder. The earlier the injury is treated, the sooner recovery will occur. It will result in less long-term damage. At Axis Clinics, the patient receives extensive care with an effective treatment of tendon injury.” – PubMed

What are Tendon Injuries?

Tendon injuries involve tears in thick tissue bands that connect muscles to bones. While these injuries can occur in any part of the body, they are most commonly found in the knee, foot, wrist, and shoulder. Tendons enable movement by transferring force from the muscles to the bones. When injured, one may experience severe pain or find it impossible to move.

Tendon injuries mostly happen due to sudden impacts, overuse, or ageing. The tendons of the knee, foot, wrist, and shoulders often face damage if one does various activities. Overuse in sports or physical activities often causes strains, tears, or inflammation. Thus, it is recommended to consult an expert doctor for early recognition and treatment of tendon injuries.

Symptoms of Tendon Injuries

The symptoms of tendon injuries are very variable and depend on the type of injury. Some common symptoms are:

Pain is usually when the patient is in motion.
Swelling and tenderness at the injury site.
Weakness of the joint or muscle.
Stiffness or limited mobility.
The typical popping or snapping sensation upon injury.

In tendon injuries around the knee, foot, wrist, or shoulder, symptoms can worsen with activity.

What causes tendon problems? Causes and Risk Factors of Tendon Injuries

There are numerous causes and risk factors for tendon injury. Knowing them can prevent damage and provide for early intervention. The primary causes and risk factors include:

Causes of Tendon Injuries

Overuse: The same movement or action, such as running or lifting, repeatedly applies stress to the tendons, which results in an inflammatory reaction and further injury.
Sudden Trauma: An accident, fall, or direct blow to a tendon can cause a sharp injury such as a tear or rupture.
Age: Since our age escalates, the tendons will decrease and become rigid as well, easily injured.
Imbalance or weakness: Weak muscles or poor posture can put excess strain on the tendons.

Risk Factors for Tendon Injuries

Age 30 and above: This age group renders tendons less elastic, thus dangerous to injury.
Poor warm-up: Not stretching or warming up before exercise can strain tendons.
Sports activities: Tendon damage frequently occurs due to high-impact sports activities such as running, football, and tennis in the region of the knee, foot, wrist, and shoulder.
Chronic health conditions: Such diseases as diabetes might increase susceptibility to tear on tendons.

How do you diagnose a tendon injury? Diagnosis of Tendon Injuries

If someone faces an injured tendon, they should see a doctor. The doctor will help you with a proper diagnosis, and they can carry out the treatment. Diagnosis of tendon injuries may often include:

Physical Examination: The doctor will palpate the swelling, tenderness, and weakness in the region.
MRI: These imaging studies give a detailed view of tendon damage.
Ultrasound: This test can show tendon tears, inflammation, or thickening.
X-ray: It can help exclude fractures but it is not sensitive to direct tendon injury.

These diagnostic tools help doctors assess the injury and find the best action.

How to heal a tendon injury? Tendon Injury Treatment

A tendon injury can be easily treated without any surgery. You can go with the RICE method, which helps get rid of pain and inflammation. It also supports tendon regeneration. Moreover, to relieve pain faster, you can also consume pain relief medication or get an injection for the same.

In some moderate to severe cases, you can choose regenerative intervention, which is a new and minimally invasive treatment. The doctor takes out a sample of blood or bone marrow from your body and concentrates it to get growth factors-rich plasma. The end product is injected into the affected area, which leads to the faster growth of the tendon.

In certain cases surgical repairs are needed and surgical team at Axis Clinics is extremely trained for these tough cases.

Discussing the treatment option that best suits your condition with our expert doctors at Axis Clinics is beneficial.

How to recover from a tendon injury? Recovery and Rehabilitation of Tendo n Injuries

The severity and location of the injury determine the healing process after tendon injury. Injuries in the knee, foot, wrist, or shoulder take a different time for healing:

Recovery Time for Tendon Injuries

Mild injuries: Tendon injuries that are minor or caused by overuse take a few weeks to recover. They typically improve with rest and rehab.
Intermediate injuries: Injuries that will result in slight tears or inflammation may take months to fully recover.
Severe injuries: A complete tendon rupture or tear might even require surgery and take 6 to 12 months for full rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation Tips:

Resting and Elevation: Allow the healing time of the injured tendon by keeping off the injured limb.
Ice Therapy: This reduces swelling and pain due to application directly to the affected area.
Physical Therapy: Once acute pain and swelling have reduced, the patient will be brought in to regain strength and movement.
Stretching and Strengthening: Gradually stretching the limbs and strengthening it prevents further recurrences.

Early, proper treatment of tendon injuries leads to quick, good healing. Reconditioning usually involves working with a physical therapist. They should guide you through the right exercises for your condition.

How do you prevent tendon injuries? Prevention Tips for Tendons Injuries

Steps for preventing tendon injuries include general lifestyle changes, proper training, and mindful practices. Here are some tips that may help.

Warm up before exercise: Always stretch and warm up to prepare your tendons for movement.
Always use proper technique: Whether you’re running, lifting, or playing sports, always follow the correct form to avoid putting too much stress on your tendons.
Avoid overuse: Never overwork yourself at activities that will exert pressure on your tendons. Keep taking your regular breaks, especially in high-impact exercise.
Strengthen the muscles: Strong muscles help prevent tendons from breaking down and causing injuries. Do a general strength training exercise. Special care should be taken of the knee, foot, wrist, and shoulder areas.
Hydrate: Hydration keeps tendons and muscles in good condition.
Wear appropriate shoes: Wearing supportive shoes can also prevent injuries in foot tendons.

With the practice of such precautions, you will cut short the possibility of your occurrence concerning tendon injuries in the future.

When to See a Doctor for Tendon Injuries?

Seek medical attention if you experience one of the following:

You are in sharp, severe pain, especially after a fall.
There’s swelling that does not reduce in a few days.
You cannot move your joint or area affected.
You have persistent weakness or instability in the affected area.
You have a popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury and have difficulty using the affected limb.

Proper consultation with a doctor early enough can save further damage and ensure that you are treated appropriately for tendon injuries in the foot, knee, wrist, or shoulder.

Conclusion

Tendon injuries are very common cases in most of the people. They can be treated if you assess and manage them with care. Axis Clinics treats tendon injuries in the knee, foot, wrist, and shoulder.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the causes of tendon injuries of the knee?

Knee tendon injuries usually happen because of overuse, sports activities, and acute trauma. Such injuries quite often result among athletes and workers.

How long will it take to recover from tendon wrist injuries?

Recovery time for tendon injuries in the wrist varies with the severity of the injury. Mild injuries heal in just weeks, while more serious injuries may take months to recover fully.

Do tendon injuries in the foot heal spontaneously?

Less severe injuries involving the tendons in the foot normally heal with rest, ice, and physical therapy. More severe tears may require medical therapy.

Is surgery necessary for tendon injuries to the shoulder?

Tendon injury, especially in the shoulder, may require surgery for complete tears; however, most tendon injuries can be recovered through conservative approaches such as rest and physical therapy.

What are the signs and symptoms of tendon injuries in the shoulder?

Common symptoms of tendon injuries within the shoulder include pain, swelling, and stiffness. There may be pain or difficulty in performing overhead activities or lifting the arm.

Can tendon injuries in the wrist cause a long-term complication?

Untreated tendon injuries in the wrist are likely to cause chronic pain, a decrease in range of motion, and a weakened grip. Early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent these problems.