Tendon Troubles: A Step by Step Guide
Tendons, fibrous bands of tissue that connect muscles to bones, allow for powerful, precise movements. But even the strongest cables face wear and tear, and with neglect, more serious problems are sure to follow.
Knight Foot & Ankle doesn’t want you left limping. For this blog, our team will explore a few different tendon injuries so you can identify them early, preventing minor discomforts from turning into major roadblocks!
Stage 1: Tendonitis
Ever felt a nagging pain after a particularly intense run? That might be tendonitis, the mildest form of tendon injury. It's essentially inflammation caused by repetitive stress. Common culprits include ill-fitting shoes, sudden changes in activity level, or tight calf muscles.
Treatment:
The RICE principle (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) is your friend here.
Reduce activities that aggravate the pain, apply ice packs for 15-20 minutes a few times a day, use gentle compression wraps, and elevate your foot when resting.
Stage 2: Tendinosis
If you neglect that initial "ouch," micro-tears within the tendon can progress to tendinosis. This stage involves degeneration of the tendon fibers themselves, making the area weaker and more susceptible to further injury. Pain becomes more persistent, and stiffness can limit movement.
Treatment:
Rest remains crucial, but physical therapy takes center stage.
A podiatrist can design a personalized program to strengthen surrounding muscles, improve flexibility, and promote healing.
This might involve exercises, ultrasound therapy, or other modalities to break down scar tissue and restore proper function.
Stage 3: Tendon Rupture
This is the most severe scenario, in which the tendon completely tears apart. It's often accompanied by a popping sensation, followed by intense pain, swelling, and a significant loss of function. Activities like pushing off the ground become impossible.
Treatment:
Depending on the severity, treatment may involve immobilization in a cast or boot, followed by surgery to repair the torn tendon.
Rehabilitation is essential to regain strength and flexibility.
Full recovery can take several months.
Early intervention makes all the difference! Addressing tendon issues promptly, with the help of a podiatrist, can stop minor aches from turning into serious setbacks.
Contact Chad Knight, DPM at Knight Foot & Ankle in Edmond and Jones, OK, to schedule a consultation. You can call us at (405) 513-0385 or click here to schedule your visit online.
