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Overuse Tendinopathy: What You Need to Know About This Nagging Injury
Published: Nov 10, 2023
Overuse tendinopathy is a common but frustrating injury characterized by chronic pain and tendon thickening. It typically results from repetitive tendon loading in athletes and workers.
What Causes Tendinopathy?
Tendinopathy often develops when there's a rapid increase in training volume, intensity, or frequency. Returning to previous activity levels too quickly after a break can also trigger it. The tendon becomes overloaded, leading to breakdown of its tightly packed collagen fibers. This causes pain, swelling, and reduced function.
Key Symptoms to Watch For
The hallmark of tendinopathy is pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest. You may notice stiffness, especially in the morning. The affected area often feels tender to touch and may appear swollen. As the condition progresses, pain can become constant, even at rest.
Diagnosis and Assessment
Your doctor will take a detailed history of your symptoms and activities. They'll examine the painful area and may use validated questionnaires to assess function. Imaging like ultrasound or MRI can confirm tendon thickening and rule out tears. It's important to identify and address any underlying biomechanical issues contributing to the problem.
Treatment Approaches
The cornerstone of treatment is a progressive exercise program emphasizing heavy, slow resistance training. This stimulates tendon remodeling and healing. Activity modification, pain relief measures, and correcting biomechanical faults are also key. Patience is crucial - full recovery often takes 3-6 months of dedicated rehab.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, controlled loading is crucial for healing.
Most cases improve with proper conservative treatment.
Yes, but activities may need modification.
Full recovery often takes 3-6 months.
Proper management reduces recurrence risk.
The Road to Recovery
With patience and the right approach, most people with tendinopathy can return to full activity.
References
- Khan KM, Scott A. Mechanotherapy: how physical therapists' prescription of exercise promotes tissue repair. Br J Sports Med 2009; 43:247.
- Cook JL, Purdam CR. Is tendon pathology a continuum? A pathology model to explain the clinical presentation of load-induced tendinopathy. Br J Sports Med 2009; 43:409.
- Alfredson H, Cook J. A treatment algorithm for managing Achilles tendinopathy: new treatment options. Br J Sports Med 2007; 41:211.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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