Tendons are structures that attach a muscle to a bone and often can be injured secondary to overuse, such as repetitive typing, lifting, etc. Chronic tendonitis can affect any tendon and refers to having the inflammatory condition for greater than 3-6 months.
Physiotherapy for Tendonitis
Physiotherapy ultimately aims to improve your quality of life. The physiotherapy rehabilitation goals for tendonitis are
- To relieve your symptoms
- Maintain or improve your muscle strength
- Maintain your overall fitness
- Promote injury prevention
- Safely return you to your original activities or sports
The kind of physiotherapy treatment that you will receive will depend on the specific type of tendonitis that you have; your symptoms and other related problems; whether you have had surgery or not; and your overall rehabilitation goals.
Physiotherapy Treatment Options for Tendonitis
Your physiotherapist may employ a combination of any of the following
- Immobilization if necessary (e.g. splinting, bandaging, taping)
- Cold therapy or cryotherapy (e.g. ice pack, ice massage)
- Heat pack
- Electrical stimulation / Iontophoresis
- Ultrasound
- Massage Therapy
- Joint mobilization techniques
- Physiotherapy exercises
- Suggest brace if necessary
- Recommend walking aid if needed
- Gait/Walking/Assistive device training (for lower limb injury)
- Ergonomic training
- Patient education
The physiotherapy treatment options mentioned above are general treatment interventions and should not be considered as treatment guideline for tendonitis. Only your personal physiotherapist can help you determine the appropriate treatment intervention best for your specific problems and goals. Your physiotherapist will gladly discuss with you about your specific plan of care.
Our therapist will guide you through exercise programs that will help the supporting muscles get stronger and they will also teach you manual stretches that can be perform anywhere in order to reduce muscle tension and fatigue.
DeQuervains Tenosynovitis
This condition occurs when the sheaths surrounding the tendons of the thumb become inflamed. This is commonly associated with overuse of the thumb.