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Light Therapy for Tendon Injuries

Tendon injuries involve hyperextension, a small tear or even a complete rupture of the connective tissue that fixes bones to the muscles that operate them. Physical therapy following an injury allows a tendon to carefully expand its range of motion in a controlled fashion, eventually restoring its full functionality. Many forms of therapy are available for tendon injuries depending on the location, type and severity of the tendon issue, and many of the exercises prescribed by a doctor can be done at home.

  1. Physical Therapy

    • Physical therapy for serious tendon injuries is limited by the type and extent of rupture of the tendon. If a tendon has been completely torn, it will require surgery to repair, and the healing process is often impeded by starting therapy too soon. Talk to your health care professional about what activities you can do without having to worry about further injuring the hurt tendon.

      After surgery you doctor will typically begin a course of light physical therapy anywhere from three to eight weeks following the original tear/rupture. If you had sutures in your arm to hold the tendon together during healing, your doctor may begin massage therapy to lessen the amount of scar tissue buildup present near the injury. Assisted therapy with a certified physical therapist will also help you to begin to reestablish the range of motion.

    Light Tendon Exercises

    • A physical therapist may prescribe a treatment of eccentric exercise in which a muscle lengthens as it contracts, which allows for fast healing of the injured tendons close by. Perform only the exercises that have been approved by the doctor or physical therapist, but do not be afraid to ask for more options if they cause too much discomfort or if your condition does not improve.

      Many of these involve gently stretching the tendon and performing normal activities with a reduced range of motion to prevent hyperextension. Combine these therapies with traditional remedies such as icing the injured area and using heat packs to reduce inflammation near the injury.

    Injury Prevention

    • Strengthening the tendon following serious injury is the best way to prevent injuries from recurring. Once the tendon has completely healed and you have been given a green light from your physical therapist to resume your normal activities, begin to work the muscles and tendons in that area. Greater strength will result in less of a chance that the tendon will rupture again. Use stretching exercises to make them more limber and less prone to trauma stemming from hyperextension.

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