Sports injuries are the most common activities that may cause tendon strain. The Achilles tendon that connects the calf muscles to the anklebone are often injured by those who play basketball.
When such an injury takes place, usually rest of the body part is indicated, as is putting ice on it. The part is then often wrapped which offers some pain relief as well as preventing swelling. Finally, the injured part is elevated above the heart, if possible, as that too prevents swelling and minimizes the 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 someone has indeed suffered an injury or tendon strain, it’s often very easy to diagnose by looking at the loss of range of motion the patient is suffering. However, a physician needing further assessment may order required tests through the use of an MRI, ultrasound, or even x-rays. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) will usually be prescribed as well.
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 comprise of strengthening exercises, ultrasound therapy, soft-tissue massage/mobilization, and stretching and also gait or running re-education. If the tendon strain was done to the Achilles tendon, the surgeon or doctor treating the patient may order appropriate shoes that properly fit your personal foot type. Also, the appropriate shoes may have to actually fit the particular activity. For example, running shoes are different from those used to play basketball. Having the appropriate shoe will prevent recurrence of the condition sometimes. Tendon strain accounts for as high as 50% of sports injuries, thus it may be very important to prevent them from happening.
Golfers elbow or tennis elbow is two examples of sports injuries, which occur by the misuse of the sporting equipment. The treatment for tendon strain is the same regardless of the type of sports that one may enjoy.
Tom Nicholson has spent years helping sufferers of carpal tunnel syndrome. Please follow this link to find out more about having asore wrist.
