Tendons

Damage to tendons can be categorised as injury (tendon rupture) and overload:

Torn tendon

Partial (partial tear) or complete tear (complete rupture) of a tendon leads to sudden pain, loss of function and tenderness. Treatment involves cooling (ice, cold pack), painkillers and immobilisation. Tendon injuries should always be treated by a doctor.

Overloads

  • Tendonitis/tendon sheath inflammation
    Overloading or incorrect loading leads to irritation of the tendon or tendon sheaths. In addition to functional impairment, the symptoms of inflammation include pain, redness and swelling. In the case of tendon sheath inflammation, there is often a crepitating sensation (= like rubbing with sandpaper) in the painful area that can be felt with the fingers. Treatment includes anti-inflammatory and cooling preparations such as ointments and plasters for the first two days. Immobilisation, rest and stretching are further therapeutic measures. After 2-3 days, creams to stimulate circulation and warming creams as well as targeted massage (physiotherapist) are recommended. If there is no improvement within 3-4 days, a doctor should be contacted. Do not resume sport until you are completely free of symptoms, otherwise there is a risk of chronic damage.

  • Thrower's shoulder/tennis shoulder
    This is an irritation of the tendon insertion (local overload with microtears and inflammatory reaction) in the area of the shoulder joint. Pressure pain at the affected tendon insertion, pain when throwing or striking are symptoms that radiate to the entire shoulder, especially at night. In addition to painkillers, cold (ice, ice packs), anti-inflammatory creams and physiotherapy help in the treatment. If there is no significant improvement after 3-4 days, a doctor should be consulted.

  • Tennis elbow/tennis elbow
    In tennis elbow/tennis elbow, there is tendon irritation (microtears) on the outer process of the humerus in the area of the elbow (in swimmers/golfers on the inner process). The consequences are localised pressure pain and pain when stretching the elbow by turning the forearm inwards with a closed fist. The pain radiates into the forearm, wrist or shoulder and leads to loss of strength. Treatment includes immobilisation, anti-inflammatory creams, painkillers, physiotherapy, shock wave therapy, stretching and strengthening exercises. If there is no significant improvement after 3-4 days, a visit to the doctor is necessary.

  • Achilles tendon complaints (achillodynia)
    Achillodynia is pain in the area of the Achilles tendon with acute or chronic inflammation of the gliding tissue. The overloading leads to morning start-up pain, whereby the pain intensifies with increasing strain. When touching the tendon, a crepitating sensation (= like rubbing with sandpaper) can often be felt and there is often a hardening of the muscle in the calf. Rest, cooling, loosening the hardened muscle and anti-inflammatory creams are just as much a part of the therapeutic measures as physiotherapy and stretching, before strengthening exercises follow later. Temporarily, a heel lift may help, but correcting foot misalignments should definitely be considered.

More info: