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What Happens When You Get Physical Therapy for Tendonitis?

Tendonitis refers to the inflammation of the tendon, a fibrous tissue connecting muscles to the bone. It is a painful condition that interferes with movement and activities of daily living. Physical therapy can provide therapeutic intervention to reduce the symptoms, promote healing and improve the condition.

  1. Significance

    • Repetitive stress on the tendons is the most common cause of tendon inflammation. It can result from overuse syndrome that reduces the flexibility of the tendons. As it weakens, it can no longer carry the load applied to it that results in pain and inflammation. The condition can become chronic so that it eventually interferes with activities. The area of injury swells, becomes red and warm to the touch. The pain can become progressively worse so that you can no longer move the affected part. The condition may eventually result to other complications, such as contractures (shortening of the tendons) and weakness.

    Identification

    • The U.S. Department of Labor refers to physical therapy as a field of health care that provides rehabilitative management on conditions and illnesses that limit the ability to carry out functional activities. Management of tendonitis includes reducing pain, restoring functions, and preventing disability. t generally promotes fitness, health and quality of life.

    Types of Management

    • Physical therapy management begins the moment the inflammation subsides, usually after taking anti-inflammatory medications. The application of cold, such as with an ice pack, can also help reduce acute swelling. During the rehabilitation phase of treatment, an ultrasound is applied to provide deep heat to relax the surrounding soft tissues on the area of injury and promote healing. Massage provides relief to stressed tissues. Exercise helps restore the tendon and muscle strength while stretching exercise aims to regain the tendon's flexibility.

    Physiologic Response to Physical Therapy

    • Physical therapy applies heat to promote healing and relaxation, usually through hot packs, infrared radiation and ultrasound. Deep heating from ultrasound on the area of injury can increase the physiological response to healing. Exercise on the area of injury prevents immobility and contractures. It consists of strengthening and flexibility exercises to allow the affected tendons restore its tensile strength and mobility.

    Considerations

    • Because tendonitis is a painful condition, physical therapy only begins when the inflammation and swelling subside. The safe application of infrared, ultrasound and hot packs should be observed to prevent burning. Exercise such as stretching, strengthening and range of motion exercises must be within the pain tolerance of the patient and progresses until the maximum functional movement of the affected area is reached.

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