Friday, November 27, 2009

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.

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.

Tendon strain or injury is easy to diagnose while looking at the loss of motion as well as pain someone may feel. However, further testing may be required by the use of such tests as an ultrasound, MRI and even x-rays. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs are generally prescribed for the condition.

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 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.

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