Tendonitis
Understanding Tendinitis and Tendinosis
Tendinitis and tendinosis are conditions that affect the tendons, the fibrous tissues connecting muscles to bones. Tendinitis is characterised by inflammation, often resulting from a sudden injury or overuse, while tendinosis involves the degeneration of tendon fibres due to chronic overuse. Both conditions can cause significant pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility, and understanding their causes and prevention can help you maintain healthier, stronger tendons.
Common Causes
- Repetitive Strain: Engaging in activities that involve repetitive motions, such as running, jumping, or lifting, can put excessive strain on tendons, leading to either tendinitis or tendinosis.
- Improper Footwear: Wearing shoes that don’t provide adequate support or are ill-fitting can increase stress on the tendons in your feet and ankles, contributing to these conditions.
- Sudden Increase in Activity: Rapidly increasing the intensity or duration of physical activity can overwhelm your tendons, making them more susceptible to injury.
- Sudden Increase in Activity: Rapidly increasing the intensity or duration of physical activity can overwhelm your tendons, making them more susceptible to injury.
Prevention Tips
- Wear Proper Footwear: Choose shoes that provide good support and cushioning to reduce stress on your tendons.
- Warm-Up and Stretch: Always warm up before exercising and incorporate stretching exercises to maintain flexibility and prevent tendon injuries.
- Gradual Progression: Increase your activity levels gradually to give your tendons time to adapt and strengthen.
- Strength and Conditioning: Engage in a targeted strength and conditioning programme to build muscle strength and improve tendon resilience.
- Rest and Recovery: Allow adequate time for rest and recovery between intense physical activities to prevent overuse injuries.
Managing Tendinitis and Tendinosis
If you’re experiencing tendon pain, our experienced podiatrists at Worcester Podiatry can provide expert diagnosis and personalised treatment plans. Options may include rest, custom orthotics, shockwave therapy, and a tailored strength and conditioning programme to support recovery and prevent re-injury. Early intervention is key to preventing more severe complications, such as tendon rupture.
Call the biomechanics experts at The Worcester Podiatry Clinic on 01905 428434 in Worcester
