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TENDINOPATHIES

Illustration of a runner’s lower body with semi-transparent anatomy, highlighting the knee joint with a red glowing target to indicate pain or inflammation, commonly representing knee tendinopathy or overuse injury.
TENDINOPATHIES

What’s a tendon and what is tendinopathy?
A tendon is a tough, rope-like tissue that connects muscle to bone. It transmits muscle force so you can move and for many tendons, they also store and releases elastic energy, like a spring to make movement efficient. 

Tendinopathy is a condition where a tendon becomes painful and less able to cope with load. Tendon symptoms usually develop over time, often because the tendon has been repeatedly overloaded. 

 Who gets tendinopathy?
Tendinopathy can affect anyone! Athletes and weekend warriors, manual workers, or people who suddenly increase their activity. It’s particularly common in people involved in repetitive or high-load activities, for example runners (achilles or hamstring tendinopathy), basketball players (patellar tendinopathy), overhead athletes (rotator cuff tendinopathy).  Tendinopathy is also common if perimenopausal women due to a drop in estrogen levels that can reduce collagen production leading to a drop in tendon strength and slow healing.

Typical symptoms

  • Gradually developing tendon pain often described as a dull ache, especially with use.

  • Tendon pain normally settles following a warm-up but returns following high tendon loading activities.

  • Stiffness, reduced flexibility or strength in the area, and difficulty tolerating prior loads.

How physiotherapy can help you

  • Help restore tendon tolerance through an evidence informed graduated loading programme starting gently and building tissue tolerance, strength and be more springy so you can return back to what you love doing again!

  • Improve movement mechanics, correct muscle imbalances or poor technique that may have contributed to tendon overload.

  • Provide close guidance on how to return to sport safely. 

  • Support long-term tendon health with education and continued guidance on your tendon strengthening journey. 

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Medical illustration of a lower leg and foot with visible calf muscles and Achilles tendon, highlighting the back of the ankle in red to indicate pain or inflammation consistent with Achilles tendinopathy.
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LOCALISED PAIN

Localized pain or tenderness over a tendon (often near a joint).

STIFFNESS

Stiffness in the affected area, especially in the morning or after rest.

INCREASEING PAIN

Pain that increases with activity or repetitive movement.

SWELLING

Swelling or thickening of the tendon.

REDUCED STRENGTH

Reduced strength or performance in the affected muscle group.

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