Repetitive athletic movements, like those in golf, tennis, baseball, and other sports, often result in a tendon strain or tendonitis. Repetitive movements that lead to injury are not exclusive to sports activities and also frequently occur in some occupations such as the construction and manufacturing industries, where continued stress on the tendons can lead to strains or tendonitis.
In some instances, a snap may be felt or pop might be heard or felt at the time of injury due to subluxation. Subluxation occurs when a tendon slips or moves from its normal position caused by trauma to the tendon. One of the reasons it can be difficult to tell the difference between an injury to a tendon vs ligament is that both have similar symptoms, such as pain, inflammation and a potential decrease in range of motion.
Sometimes sprains and strains are so mild a person barely notices the slight discomfort and continues to engage in activity that places additional stress on the soft tissue. Unfortunately, x-rays do NOT show tendon or ligament injuries. X-rays are mainly designed to show injuries to bones and joints, but not soft tissue areas like tendons, ligaments, or cartilage, according to the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine AAPSM. Physicians are sometimes able to diagnose tendon strains or tendonitis by examining a patient, reviewing the symptoms, and considering their recent physical activity.
In other cases, a doctor may request an MRI magnetic resonance imaging , which does provide images of soft tissue like tendons and ligaments, as well as bones, joints, and cartilage. An ultrasound sonography is another method for diagnosing soft tissue injuries to tendons and ligaments through the use of high-frequency sound waves. It is necessary to identify whether the injury is inflammation from tendonitis, an acute or degenerative tear, subluxation, or something else entirely.
Knowing this will help determine the treatment methods to be used and the approximate time needed to suitably heal and recover. This is most effective right after an injury, although serious injuries are likely to require a more comprehensive treatment plan.
In the case of chronic tendonitis, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen found in Motrin or Advil may be useful, for reducing inflammation and pain. Corticosteroids, or simply steroids, can be given orally or by injection to the affected area to decrease inflammation and promote healing.
During recovery, EPAT Therapy is one of the most effective methods for reducing the time it takes to heal injured tendons or ligaments. During an EPAT session, the treatment breaks down scar tissue in the affected joint, stimulates blood flow to the area, and decreases pain and inflammation.
Because EPAT Treatment is non-surgical, there is no anesthesia necessary, no scarring, and no risk of infection. In some cases, athletes can actually undergo treatment sessions while still maintaining high levels of performance even as they continue to recover from their injury. Because of the many positive benefits to treating and healing pain and injuries, EPAT Therapy is quickly gaining popularity among sports medicine professionals, in addition to college and professional athletics training programs.
For ruptured or torn ligaments, surgery is sometimes the best option for reconnecting the soft tissue or adding extra support in the affected area. Subluxation sometimes requires surgery in severe cases. Surgery is generally only used for the most severe injuries to tendons and ligaments and it causes the most downtime for athletes. Physical therapy can be used to strengthen the damaged tissue and teach the patient proper movement techniques that lessen the chance of continued injury in the future.
It is also used as a rehabilitation technique following surgery for severe injuries. Sometimes an injury to the hand or foot might not be serious enough to require surgery but is still severe and requires a complete immobilization to properly heal.
A severely torn ligament in the foot may require a cast as well as a torn tendon in wrist. These types of injuries can take to 6 to 8 weeks to heal. In these cases, a cast, splint, or brace is necessary to keep the injured area from moving to heal accordingly.
After the cast is removed, physical therapy or EPAT treatments can further speed the recovery process. Injuries to tendons and ligaments may start as minor pain in the affected area and often go unnoticed for a period of time until the pain becomes more noticeable and has a negative impact on performance.
If the injury is not addressed in a timely manner, it will usually continue to cause problems and may progress to something more severe unless, or until, it is corrected. The best course of action for tendon and ligament pain is to speak with a trainer or doctor at the first sign of pain to remedy the issue and avoid having it progress to something more serious. Ligament and Tendon images courtesy of Scientific Animations.
Privacy Policy Terms of Use. Like other parts of the body, tendons weaken as we age, becoming more prone to stress and injury. Tendonitis can also occur from overuse of a tendon. Golfers and baseball pitchers, for instance, often experience tendonitis in their shoulders.
Symptoms of tendonitis include pain when the muscle is moved and swelling. The affected muscle may feel warm to the touch. Telling the difference between a ligament or tendon injury on your own can be hard. Whenever you have pain and swelling, see your doctor for a skilled diagnosis and effective treatment plan. Doctors recommend:. But others are. Take these precautions to protect your tendons and ligaments:.
There are thousands of ligaments and tendons throughout the body. Ligaments and tendons are both made of connective tissue and both can be torn or overstretched, but they differ in function. Ligaments attach one bone to another.
Tendons attach a muscle to a bone. Both, however, are essential to proper body mechanics. Recognizing ligament and tendon problems before they become major injuries is key to enjoying an active and pain-free life. Treating pain with hot and cold can be extremely effective for a number of different conditions and injuries.
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