Tendinopathy

Do you have tendon pain? Has someone told you that you may have “Tendinopathy?”

You may have heard the term in regards to Achilles Tendinopathy, Patella Tendinopathy, Supraspinatus/Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy or Bicipital Tendinopathy but what does it mean? And What does it mean to you if you’ve been told or suspect you may have it?

Tendinopathy is the umbrella term to describe an irritation/damage to a tendon, which is part of the muscle that attaches to the bone. Previously labeled “Tendinitis” when it was thought it be caused by inflammation of the tendon, due to more recent research findings the broad term has simply been changed to “Tendinopathy”.

Tendons do not have as rich of a blood supply as the muscle belly therefore they do not have the same steady stream of nourishing nutrients to help repair the damaged tissue. It also means they do not have the same drainage abilities to remove any toxic by-products that accrue when there is damage to the tissue.

Tendons have incredible tensile strength. That is to say they can undergo massive amount of tension lengthways or more practically explained, by pulling on either end in the same manner as you pull on both ends of a string, which causes it to tighten. This is because tendons work as the “pulleys” for our muscles. As with the cables in mechanical pulley systems, what they do not like is a compressional load. That is something pressing heavily into the tendon at the opposite direction to which it is travelling.

Why is this relevant?

For example, If the posture of your shoulder is poor, the tendon may be compromised. Perhaps the shoulder sits higher than the other, or protrudes further forward, the tendon may be compressed by the bone in which it is traversing and then when it slides up and down, as pulleys do, it can become irritated and undergo wear and tear.

What can be done about this?

Your Osteopath will identify the tendon in question and any postural compensations that may be contributing to the tendon irritation and aim to correct these through manual therapy treatment. Although manual therapy treatment alone may not be enough to solve the underlying issue of poor posture or perhaps asymmetry and weakness. Therefore your osteopath will be able to give you postural advice for at your work desk and throughout your activities of daily living. Along with this, a basic strengthening program may be required to build back the strength in the tendon to bring it back to it’s robust, dynamic self!

If you’re struggling with a potential tendon injury, don’t hesitate, the earlier you have this issue seen to and begin correcting the faults which led to it, the better short term and long term outcomes you will have.