Do you also have tendon pain? Let's talk about tendinopathy!

Do you sometimes feel pain in your arm, leg, or shoulder, making it difficult to use that area? This can happen when you overexert yourself or do the same thing over and over again. Today we are going to talk about a problem that affects many people, but is not well understood. That is a condition called tendinopathy .

What is Tendinopathy?

Simply put, tendinopathy is any condition that affects one of our tendons . In this case, you feel pain when you use the area where the tendon is located, and its function is also reduced. Think about it, tendons are like ropes, strong tissues that connect our muscles to our bones . Most often, these tendons are damaged by overuse . However, there are other reasons why your tendons can become weak. Sometimes, tendinopathy starts when an injury to a tendon does not heal properly. Over time, this begins to cause harmful changes in the tendon.

Are there types of tendinopathy?

Yes, there are two main types of tendinopathy. They are tendinitis and tendinosis . Although the onset of both is often similar, the process by which the tendon is affected is different. Also, the treatment methods are different. Therefore, it is important to know exactly what these two are.

What is Tendinitis?

Tendinitis is inflammation of your tendons . It's usually an immediate response to an injury. However, if the injury doesn't heal, it can become a chronic condition. Remember, inflammation can be damaging if it lasts too long.

Chronic tendinitis can cause the following:

• Tendon scarring and micro-tears .
• Calcium deposition .
• Turning to tendinosis.

What is Tendinosis?

Tendinosis is a breakdown of a protein called collagen in your tendon. This collagen is what gives the tendon its strength and elasticity. So, when the collagen breaks down, the tendon loses its strength and flexibility. This is not related to inflammation. This process is gradual and ongoing.

Untreated tendinosis can lead to the following conditions:

• Muscle atrophy means muscle wasting.
• Tendon rupture .
• Permanent disability .

Where in our body is tendinopathy most common?

When symptoms first appear, many people don't know what type of tendinopathy they have. They say something like 'shoulder tendon pain' or 'ankle tendon pain'.

Tendinopathy is most commonly seen in the following areas:

• Achilles tendon
• Posterior tibial tendon
• Ankle (Peroneal tendon)
• Knee (Patellar tendon)
• Shoulder (Supraspinatus tendon or rotator cuff)
• Elbow (Lateral extensor or medial flexor tendons)
• Wrist (Abductor and extensor tendons)

Since many tendon injuries start with sports injuries, it's common to name the tendon after the sport it's playing. However, these conditions can occur even if you don't play a sport:

• Tennis elbow
• Golfer's elbow
• Swimmer's shoulder
• Jumper's knee

What are the symptoms of Tendinopathy?

The main symptoms that can identify tendinopathy are:

• Chronic tendon pain .
• Reduced exercise tolerance .
• Reduced functionality in the tendon.

Depending on the type you have, you may also have symptoms like:

• Swelling, heat, and skin discoloration .
• Stiffness and reduced range of motion.
• A 'crackling' sound or feeling of tightness when moving the tendon.

Why do we get tendinopathy?

It's not always clear exactly how tendinopathy develops. But, it often starts with overusing your tendon . The amount of force your tendon can withstand may be different from someone else's. For example, athletes can damage their tendons by overtraining. Similarly, someone who is not normally active can also damage a tendon if they suddenly increase their activity. Doing the same thing over and over again without enough rest can lead to a repetitive strain injury.

Examples of repetitive tasks:

• Loud scrubbing (e.g., mopping the floor, washing dishes)
• Typing (like someone who works on a computer all day)
• Garden work (hoeing, planting)
• Sewing and knitting work
• Carpentry and woodworking
• Weight training

Other factors that increase the risk:

Here are some other factors that can damage your tendon:

• High-intensity training .
• Poor posture or use of improper equipment (Poor ergonomics or equipment). For example, if the chair or desk you are working on is not in the right position, this can also cause problems like this.
• Lack of flexibility .
• Lack of strength .
• Muscle imbalances .
• Posture or gait abnormalities .
• Putting too much weight on your tendon.
• Some autoimmune diseases .

Do some medications also have an effect?

Yes, some medications can also cause tendon damage as a side effect. Some examples are:

• Fluoroquinolones (a type of antibiotic)
• Corticosteroids
• Statins ( medicines to lower cholesterol)

When you strain your tendons, tiny tears can form in the fibers. Tendons are tough things, but once they're torn, they're slow to heal. Acute inflammation , called tendinitis, is actually how our bodies start the healing process. However, if your tendons don't get the rest they need to heal, you can develop a long-term condition called chronic tendinopathy. Tendinitis can persist, or tendinosis can develop and change your tendons.

How does a doctor diagnose tendinopathy?

If you have been experiencing pain in a tendon for several months while doing an activity, you may have tendinopathy. However, it is important to find out exactly what type you have. A doctor can diagnose tendinopathy with a physical exam and possibly imaging studies , such as X-rays and scans. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms, your activities, and any recent changes in your life. Then, they will examine your tendon and, if necessary, order imaging tests to look for changes in the tissue.

What are the treatments for this?

Treatment for different types of tendinopathy can vary. That's why it's important to get an accurate diagnosis . Treatment can also vary depending on how long you've had tendinopathy and how advanced it is. Doctors usually start with conservative therapies . For example:

• Rest
• Ice melting (ice)
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Physical therapy

If these things don't provide enough relief, your doctor may suggest other treatments, such as:

• Therapeutic injections (e.g. corticosteroid injections)
• Minimally invasive tendon debridement
• Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)
• Surgery (this is often the last resort)

What can we do to reduce the risk of tendinopathy?

Tendinopathy cannot be completely prevented. Remember, you can have accidents while playing or working. However, there are some things you can do to reduce this risk.

To reduce the risk of tendinopathy, it's a good idea to work with a trainer or coach. Even a small change in the way you play, or a slight change in the way you stretch, can help those tendons.

Other things you can do are:

• Warm up well before starting exercise.
• Cool-down after exercise.
• Increase your activity level gradually . Don't put on too much weight all at once.
• Using proper form and technique .
• Using equipment that is appropriate for your work or play.
• Get enough rest . Don't work hard all the time.
• Eating a balanced diet .
• Maintaining proper hydration .

How long does it take to heal?

Acute tendinitis usually takes a few days to a few weeks to heal. However, chronic tendinitis can take up to six weeks to heal. Tendinosis can take even longer to heal - from two to six months .

Recovery depends on reducing the stress on your tendon and giving it the time it needs to heal.

Follow your doctor's instructions about rest and exercise exactly. Then you can recover quickly.

What should we do and not do if we have tendinopathy?

If you have tendinopathy, be aware of these things:

• Don't: Don't ignore your pain . If you're a regular exerciser or do the same type of work, you're probably used to a certain level of pain. But if it's persistent or getting worse, you should definitely see a doctor .
• Do: Get a definitive diagnosis . Tendinitis and tendinosis are two different things. Knowing exactly what you have will help you understand your treatment plan and give you an idea of ​​how long it will take to recover.
• Don't: Don't rush it . Your tendon needs time to heal. Don't try to put any strain on it again until the doctor says, "Okay, you can use it now." If you try to shorten the healing time, you'll end up stretching it even more.
• Do: Do ​​your physical therapy exercises properly . It's just as important to rest the tendon, as it is to rehabilitate the muscles involved, and then the tendon itself.
• Don't: Don't despair . If simple treatments don't help, there are other treatments you can try. Most people don't need surgery for tendinopathy. However, if you need it, surgery can help.
• Do: Make some long-term changes . Now that you know how you developed tendinopathy, try to make changes to your routine, work style, equipment, or other factors to help prevent it from happening again in the future.

Finally, things to remember

Tendinopathy is a very common condition . It's not just for athletes, as many people think. There are many factors that can affect the health of your tendons, many of which you may not even be aware of. Anyone can accidentally injure a tendon. The most important thing is what you do next . Once you've identified the injury, it's time to change your activities. Tendons are very strong, hard-working structures. But when they get injured, it's time to take care of them .

` Tendinopathy, tendon, pain, tendinitis, tendinosis, exercise, rest