What causes tendonitis?
What are the classifications of tendonitis?
How to treat tendonitis?
Acute inflammation is initially treated using the P.R.I.C.E principle, which stands for Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
Once the pain and swelling dissipate, exercise prescription can be introduced to work through the tendon’s range of motion and strength. This is a delicate part of the treatment, during which it is important for the therapist to closely monitor the symptoms that may appear so that the patient does not experience pain.
Strengthening exercises should focus on higher repetitions, at lower intensity and resistance, to avoid excessive stress on the tendon. Through research it has been shown that eccentric strengthening exercises (lengthening contraction) early in the rehabilitation process have proven beneficial, placing less stress on the tendons than the concentric exercises. An example of eccentric exercise is when the patient’s arm is in a flexed position and s/he tries to resist the force by extending the arm, but the said force is stopped before the arm is fully extended.
As the patient improves through the various exercises, the loads and intensities should be gradually increased.
Return to main activities – When strength exercises can be performed pain-free and equal in intensity to the uninjured side, the patient can engage in a sporting activity, performing the maximum of specific movements at increasing intensity, under close monitoring.