Tendon Strain: It Can Affect Anyone

By Tom Nicholson

It is said that the most common injury caused by a tendon strain happens through misuse. More often than not, the injury is caused by some kind of sports injury. For instance, basketball players often suffer an injury to the Achilles tendon, which connects the anklebone to the muscles found in the calf muscle.

Rest and ice pack applications are some of the best treatments for this type of injury. Wrapping the area securely, but not too tight is helpful for the prevention of swelling and the relief of pain. Elevating the area while resting, may also help to reduce the discomfort of swelling and pain.

If you are not careful, overstretching the tendon with repetitive action, while putting excessive on the area can cause damage to the tendons and cause pain and swelling. For instance, a weightlifter may cause his or her injuries by neglecting the warning signs of pain, since the body sends painful warning when it is overworked and stressed and in need of rest and recuperation time. You can condition the body for tendon strain beforehand by doing stretching and strengthening exercises as do professional dancers.

When there is pain and the loss of motion, tendon injury or strain is easy to diagnose. However, further testing may be essential. These tests may include the use of an MRI, x-rays or ultrasound tests. For such a condition as physician may prescribe NSAIDs or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Through care is vital after healing from surgery, therefore your surgeon may recommend the use of daily stretching and strengthening exercises. Exercising in warm water may help to prevent re-injuring the area. Visiting a physical therapist to learn the proper exercise techniques is ideal. However, therapy may include more that exercises, depending on the cause of the injury. Stretching, running and gait re-education as well as soft tissue massages and ultrasound therapy may be recommendable. Different types of splints may be useful as are, numbing medication or cortisone injections.

Physical therapy may include soft-tissue massage or mobilization, stretching and strengthening exercises, gait or running re-education or even ultrasound therapy. A surgeon or physician may recommend the use of special made shoes when there is damage to the Achilles tendon. These shoes may be special made to suit any particular activity. For instance, running shoes are different from basketball shoes. The appropriate type of shoe may assist in prevention of the condition reoccurring. Fifty percent of sports injuries involve tendon strain; therefore, it is essential to prevent such an injury.

Golfers elbow or tennis elbow is two common examples of such sports injuries that occur while misusing the sporting equipment. Regardless of the cause of tendon strain for sporting accident, the treatments are the same.